As 30% of North Korean Troops Are Eliminated, Ukraine Still Holds Parts of Russia's Kursk

Exactly five months ago, Ukraine launched a bold operation into Russia's Kursk region, turning the tables in a war that Russia initially brought to Ukrainian soil. Ukrainian officials emphasized the necessity of this asymmetric response to preempt another Russian offensive akin to its May 2024 assault on the Kharkiv region. By striking first, Ukraine prevented similar incursions into the Sumy region, reducing attacks with guided aerial bombs and halting Russia's plans.

At its peak, Ukraine controlled approximately 1,300 square kilometers of the Kursk region, including over 100 settlements under military administration. Civilians were allowed to evacuate, while those who stayed received humanitarian aid.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine could have advanced toward the Kursk Nuclear Power Plan—one of Russia's largest—but refrained, as Ukraine opposes nuclear blackmail.

Though the controlled territory has shrunk after five months, Ukrainian forces remain in place. Moreover, in early January, Ukraine launched a new counteroffensive operation with initial successes.

While official updates are pending, Russian journalists admit that Ukraine's operations are well-organized and technologically advanced.

Russian Losses

Despite Moscow’s efforts to rapidly repel Ukrainian forces, early counterattacks failed, leaving Russian troops shattered. Moscow assembled a 45,000-strong group to retake the Kursk region, but their disorganized counteroffensives repeatedly failed.

By November 2024, Russian losses amounted to nearly 21,000 personnel, including over 7,000 dead and 12,000 wounded. Ukraine also captured over 700 soldiers, bolstering its prisoner exchange capabilities. Additionally, more than 1,000 units of military equipment were destroyed.

Russian forces in the Kursk region currently have an estimated 50,000–55,000 soldiers.

North Korean Involvement

These figures exclude losses among North Korean soldiers deployed to assist Russia. According to Ukrainian authorities, Pyongyang volunteered to send approximately 12,000 troops, aiming to gain combat experience for its military. This marks North Korea’s full entry into the war on Russia's side.

However, North Korean forces—poorly prepared for modern warfare—have sustained heavy casualties. President Zelenskyy stated in an interview with Lex Fridman that around 3,800 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded. Despite these losses, Pyongyang appears ready to increase its contingent by 30,000–40,000 troops if needed.

North Korea has also supplied Russia with artillery shells, artillery systems, and ballistic missiles in exchange for financial aid, food supplies, and military technologies.