Additional Coverage:
- More than 100 of North Korea’s elite ‘Storm’ troops are dead and 1,000 more wounded from their first battles for Russia: South Korean intel (newsbreak.com)
Elite North Korean Troops Suffer Heavy Losses in Ukraine
Over 100 elite North Korean troops have been killed and 1,000 injured while fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine, South Korean intelligence reports. These losses occurred in their first battles for Russia.
Inadequate Preparation
North Korean troops have proven ill-prepared for the conflict in Ukraine, particularly for drone attacks and the unfamiliar terrain. They reportedly lack adequate training and are poorly integrated into the Russian military, leading to communication problems.
High-Ranking Casualties
Reports suggest that a general-ranking officer may be among the North Korean dead. Ukrainian officials estimate that over 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded in total.
Impact on the Conflict
Despite their losses, North Korea is reportedly preparing to send more troops to Russia. Warfare experts caution that the potential impact of these troops should not be underestimated, as Russia has been using poorly trained soldiers to overwhelm Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Response
Ukraine is actively trying to encourage North Korean troops to surrender, warning that Russia will treat them as expendable. Ukrainian officials have also reported instances of friendly fire incidents caused by language barriers among North Korean troops.