Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reported significant casualties among Russian and North Korean forces in the Kursk region. Speaking in his nightly address, Zelensky referenced an update from Ukrainian Army Chief of Staff Oleksandr Syrskyi, highlighting intense battles near the village of Mahnovka, close to Ukraine’s border.
North Korean Battalion Destroyed
Zelensky claimed that a full battalion of North Korean soldiers, deployed alongside Russian paratroopers, was wiped out in battles over the past two days near Mahnovka.
“At just one location, near the village of Mahnovka in the Kursk region, the Russian military lost a battalion consisting of North Korean troops and Russian paratroopers,” he stated, calling the losses “significant.”
This assertion comes amid reports that approximately 11,000 North Korean troops have been stationed in the Kursk region, parts of which are controlled by Ukrainian forces following their August 2024 offensive.
Extreme Measures by North Korean Troops
Last week, Zelensky noted that North Korean forces were experiencing severe losses and accused Russian forces of failing to protect their allies. He further alleged that North Korean troops have resorted to drastic measures to avoid capture, including executing their own soldiers in some cases.
Wider Frontline Battles
Zelensky also reported ongoing fierce battles along a 1,000-kilometer front, with the most critical fighting concentrated near Pokrovske.
The deployment of North Korean troops to support Russia has drawn international scrutiny. As Ukraine continues its counteroffensive, the situation in the Kursk region highlights the increasingly complex dynamics of the conflict, with growing foreign involvement on both sides.
