Ukraine says North Koreans may have pulled out of front line

Ukrainian special forces operating in Russia's western Kursk region have informed the BBC that they have not observed any North Korean troops there in the past three weeks. A spokesman suggested that the troops likely withdrew after sustaining significant casualties.

According to Western officials, approximately 1,000 of the 11,000 North Korean soldiers sent to fight for Russia have been killed within just three months. Neither North Korea nor Russia have made any official comments on the situation.

On Friday, a Ukrainian special forces spokesperson told the BBC that he was referring specifically to areas in the Kursk region where his forces were actively engaged in combat. However, he did not specify the length of the front line.

While this provides only a partial view of the situation, it indicates significant casualties among North Korean troops.

The New York Times separately reported that North Korean soldiers had been withdrawn from the front lines. US officials cited in the article suggested that the withdrawal may not be permanent, with the possibility that the troops could return after undergoing further training or after Russian forces develop new strategies to minimize casualties.

According to South Korean intelligence, North Korean soldiers are ill-prepared for modern warfare and are particularly vulnerable to Ukrainian drones.

Reports indicate that North Korean forces have suffered around 1,000 casualties.

Why are North Korean troops involved in Ukraine?

Recent months have seen an increase in cooperation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, culminating in the signing of a security and defense agreement. North Korea has been providing significant supplies of ammunition and weaponry to Russia.

In August, Ukrainian elite forces launched a surprise offensive in the Kursk region, capturing over 1,000 square kilometers (about 386 square miles) of Russian territory. While Russian forces have since regained much of that land, the initial Ukrainian operation was designed to alter the course of the war, relieving pressure on other parts of the extensive front line, particularly in eastern Ukraine.

As Moscow continues its steady, though slow, advance in the east, seizing various settlements in Donetsk, Kyiv now aims to maintain control over its holdings in Kursk as potential leverage for any future ceasefire or peace talks with Moscow.

Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.