Zelenskyy Reports North Korean Troop Casualties in Russia’s Kursk Region

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on November 7 that North Korean troops fighting against Ukrainian forces have sustained casualties in Russia’s Kursk region.

"Currently, 11,000 North Korean soldiers are present on Russian territory near the Ukrainian border, specifically in Kursk region," Zelenskyy said during a press conference at the European Political Community summit in Budapest.

"Some of these troops have already taken part in combat operations against Ukrainian forces, and there are already casualties."

Zelenskyy did not specify the number of casualties.

It’s been reported earlier that the third quarter of 2024, over 3,700 North Korean residents entered Russia, officially citing "study" as their reason for travel, according to FSB Border Service data highlighted by Mediazona. Between July and September, a record 3,765 North Korean citizens arrived in Russia with this purpose.

This surge in North Korean arrivals comes amid reports, first appearing in October 2024, of North Korean military personnel being deployed to Russia.

Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation, stated on November 4 that North Korean troops had “already come under fire” in Russia’s Kursk region.