North Korean soldiers, dispatched to assist Russia in its conflict with Ukraine, are reportedly experiencing high casualty rates, with some even resorting to suicide rather than surrender, according to official sources. Over the past week, in the Kursk region, more than 1,000 North Korean soldiers have lost their lives, representing nearly 10% of the North Korean forces deployed to Russia. This high death toll is attributed to the “human wave” attack strategy ordered by the generals, which essentially sent the soldiers to their deaths.
John Kirby, the U.S. National Security spokesman, expressed his concern on Friday, stating that both Russian and North Korean military leaders seem to be treating these troops as disposable, ordering them into hopeless assaults against Ukrainian defenses. He added that the North Korean troops, who are mainly fighting on foot, are highly indoctrinated and continue to push attacks even when it is clear that they are futile.
In addition to the high casualty rate, the North Korean soldiers are also grappling with shortages of water and supplies, as reported by Ukraine’s military intelligence agency. Photographs released by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky appear to show North Korean troops seeking cover behind trees in Russia’s Kursk border region.
Earlier this week, Zelensky stated that preliminary data suggested that over 3,000 North Korean soldiers were either killed or wounded in the region. He further noted that the Russian military and North Korean enforcers seem to have no interest in the survival of these soldiers. He revealed that Ukrainian forces had captured some North Korean soldiers, but they were severely wounded and could not be saved.
Zelensky urged North Korea’s neighbors, especially China, to intervene and prevent further loss of North Korean lives in the European conflict. He suggested that if China is sincere in its statements that the war should not escalate, it must exert appropriate pressure on Pyongyang.
In August, Ukrainian forces launched an incursion into the Kursk region as Russia pressed a slow-moving offensive in Ukraine. Ukraine managed to seize about 380 square miles of the Kursk region of Russia but has since lost about 40% of that territory due to a counterattack by Moscow.
John Kirby indicated that another security assistance package for Ukraine would likely be approved in the coming days. Earlier this week, President Biden condemned Russia’s Christmas Day attacks, including on Ukraine’s energy system, and requested the Defense Department to continue supplying weapons to Ukraine.