The Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Directorate of Intelligence said on Monday that at least 30 North Korean soldiers were killed and wounded in weekend battles.

Summary

Ukraine reports at least 30 North Korean soldiers were killed or injured in battles in Russia’s Kursk region, with reinforcements from the DPRK’s 94th brigade arriving to cover losses.

Pyongyang has allegedly sent up to 12,000 troops to support Russia, alongside supplying munitions and missiles.

President Zelenskyy confirmed North Korean involvement and cautioned their potential expansion to other frontlines.

This development underscores strengthening Russia-North Korea ties, intensifying the conflict as Ukraine battles to maintain control of contested regions.

  • givesomefucks@lemmy.worldEnglish
    332·
    2 days ago

    “The Russians include them in combined units and use them in operations in the Kursk region,” Zelenskyy said in a statement posted to his Telegram page. “So far, only there. But we have information suggesting their use could extend to other parts of the frontline. There are also already noticeable losses in this category.”

    These are “the best” NK troops, but still have never seen combat.

    If kept on their own they may be effective. But they’re spread out with Russian cannon fodder divisions, so they literally don’t speak the same language as their commanders.

      • givesomefucks@lemmy.worldEnglish
        255·
        2 days ago

        They have…

        But these are NK troops, none of them have seen combat before.

        “The best” means they’re the only ones who had enough calories to be relatively healthy.

        Same with the border guards, and I think the last one to escape to the south had like a six foot tapeworm and a host of other old school parasites and diseases.

        Trench warfare is tough on a healthy person, and not many North Koreans are healthy.

        Knowing Putin he talked up how important these troops are, and pissed Kim off by using them as cannon fodder. Kim could have sent his absolute worst and had the same result.

        • Maalus@lemmy.worldEnglish
          25·
          2 days ago

          Why would he send his best troops knowing they’d never return? They are used as cannon fodder. He knows what’s going on, knows the statistics. They can’t return or else they’ll tell other Koreans about the porn. So he sends cannon fodder and gets technology, jets, rockets, food in return. No need for “experienced” soldiers comming back when you don’t plan on waging war yourself anytime soon. And since they have MAD setup with South Korea with the artillery both countries have, it is all simply to be able to rattle the saber a little bit better and get more shit from other countries that want to live in peace. They get better rockets, they launch one over Japan, get more “humanitarian aid”, rinse and repeat forever.