One North Korean Brigade Destroyed and Thousands Wounded

In a major development, Ukraine’s military has claimed that over 12,000 North Korean troops have taken part in Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, especially in the Kursk region. Out of these, nearly 9,000 North Korean soldiers were either killed or injured, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

This revelation highlights the growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, as well as the increasing global involvement in the three-year-long war.

North Korean Troops Suffer Heavy Losses

The Ukrainian military report states:

• Around 4,000 North Korean troops were killed
• Another 3,000 were seriously wounded
• One of the four deployed North Korean brigades has been completely destroyed
• The remaining brigades are no longer combat-effective

In late January 2025, North Korean troops reportedly retreated from the frontlines due to the massive casualties.

Why Is Kursk Important?

Kursk, a region in western Russia near the border with Ukraine, has become a key battleground in the war. In mid-2024, Ukrainian forces launched a surprise counteroffensive, capturing around 500 square miles of Russian territory.

In response, Russia sent reinforcements, including North Korean troops, to regain control over the captured areas.

Growing Alliance: Russia, North Korea, and China

North Korea’s involvement in the war appears to be part of a larger strategic alliance with Russia. U.S. Admiral Samuel Paparo, who leads the Indo-Pacific Command, warned the U.S. Senate about:

• North Korea sending “thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands” of artillery shells and short-range missiles to Russia
• Russia providing air-defense systems and missile technology in return

Meanwhile, China is helping Russia rebuild its defense industry, supplying:

• 90% of legacy computer chips
• 70% of machine tools

Paparo described this cooperation as a “transactional symbiosis”, where each country provides what the other lacks — creating a dangerous mutual dependency.

Evidence of Chinese Troops?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently posted a video on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), showing a captured Chinese soldier fighting alongside Russian forces. He claimed that over 150 Chinese citizens are participating in the war.

If confirmed, this would further escalate international concerns about China’s military involvement in the conflict.

Summary of Key Points