Wed Feb 05 00:20:00 UTC 2025: ## North Korean Troops Reportedly Withdraw from Kursk Front After Heavy Losses
**KYIV/MOSCOW** – Ukrainian special forces operating in Russia’s Kursk region report that North Korean troops have withdrawn from the area over the past three weeks, likely due to significant casualties. A spokesman for the Ukrainian forces told the BBC that they haven’t observed any North Korean presence in their operational zone for this period. Western officials previously estimated that approximately 1,000 of the 11,000 North Korean troops sent to fight alongside Russia had been killed in just three months. This information aligns with a separate report from the *New York Times*, citing US officials who suggest the withdrawal may be temporary. The North Koreans may return after further training or if the Russians devise new deployment strategies to mitigate losses.
South Korean intelligence reportedly attributes the high casualty rate to the North Korean soldiers’ lack of preparedness for modern warfare, making them particularly vulnerable to Ukrainian drone strikes. Neither North Korea nor Russia has commented on the reports.
The withdrawal follows a significant Ukrainian offensive in Kursk last August, during which Ukrainian forces briefly seized over 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory. While Russia has since regained some ground, Kyiv aims to retain its current positions in Kursk as leverage in potential future negotiations. This development comes as Russia continues its slow but persistent advance in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region.
The situation underscores the evolving dynamics of the ongoing conflict, highlighting the involvement of North Korean forces and their reported struggles on the battlefield. The potential for further North Korean involvement remains uncertain.
First Piper 