A U.S. official confirmed North Korean troops suffered casualties in Russia after a Ukrainian airstrike, reportedly killing around 500 soldiers. The military engagement illustrates the involvement of North Korean forces in the conflict alongside Russian troops in the Kursk region, despite denials by North Korea and Russia.
A recent confirmation from a U.S. official, reported by RFA Korean service, acknowledged that North Korean troops deployed in Russia have sustained casualties. This comes in light of media reports indicating that around 500 North Korean soldiers were killed during a Ukrainian strike employing British missiles in the Kursk region. The U.S. Department of Defense official stated that these casualties were indeed the result of an airstrike by Ukrainian forces targeting a command facility believed to be used by both North Korean and Russian officers.
While the Pentagon has refrained from verifying specific casualty figures, the South Korean intelligence has suggested that North Korean forces have indeed incurred losses, although a precise toll was not disclosed. Recent footage shared by pro-Russian bloggers indicated that up to 12 British Storm Shadow missiles hit a facility in Maryno, which was believed to serve as a command center. Reports from The Wall Street Journal indicated that the assault on this command post also led to the death of a high-ranking North Korean official.
The U.S. and South Korea assert that North Korean troops have been actively engaging Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region since early August, with estimates suggesting that over 10,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed there to commence combat operations alongside Russian forces. Nonetheless, neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has officially recognized the presence of these North Korean troops.
The unfolding situation involves North Korean military engagement in Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Despite the lack of official confirmation from North Korea or Russia regarding troop presence, intelligence from South Korea points towards the involvement of North Korean soldiers in combat against Ukrainian forces. This situation has escalated particularly with the use of Western artillery, potentially implicating broader geopolitical dynamics and military cooperation between North Korea and Russia amid heightened tensions.
In summary, the confirmation of North Korean casualties due to a Ukrainian airstrike raises critical concerns regarding their role in the ongoing military operations in Russia. The evident involvement of North Korean troops alongside Russian forces marks a significant development in the regional security landscape, inviting scrutiny over international responses and alliances amidst a complex geopolitical context.
Original Source: www.rfa.org
