Ukraine Says Its Troops Injured To Death 30 North Korean Troops In Russia's Kursk Region

JAKARTA - Ukraine said its troops had injured or killed at least 30 North Korean soldiers (North Korea) in Russia's western Kursk region. The territory captured by Russia from Ukrainian rule.

"On December 14 and 15, army units from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) suffered significant losses near the village of Plekhovo, Vorozhba, Martynovka in the Russian Kursk region at least 30 soldiers were killed and injured," said Ukrainian military intelligence, Monday, December 16, quoted from AFP.

Thousands of soldiers from North Korea strengthened Russian troops, including in the Kursk border area. The region was once controlled by the Ukrainian military in a surprise attack in the summer in August 2024.

According to the Ukrainian intelligence, the military in Kursk is being strengthened by new troops from North Korea. Based on Western officials' estimates, 10,000 North Korean troops came to help Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday last week that Russia began deploying large numbers of North Korean militaries to urge Ukrainian troops out of the Kursk region.

"Russia included (the North Korean force) in a joint unit and used them in operations in the Kursk area," Zelenskyy said.

According to information, Zelenskyy said North Korean troops were likely to be placed elsewhere on the front lines of the war. "Losses among these categories are also visible," he added.