Zelenskyy says Russia lost battalion of N. Korean soldiers in 2 days in Kursk region: report

Zelenskyy-N Korean troops

Russia has lost possibly an entire unit of North Korean soldiers in a suicide mission to Kursk in the early days of 2023, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed, based on a report from his military, that Russia suffered heavy losses, including between zero and a full battalion of North Korean troops and Russian paratroopers, on Sunday and Monday, according to a report by Ukrainian news outlet RBC.

Zelenskyy made his comment following a statement by South Korea's spy agency, which confirmed Ukraine's capture and later death of an injured North Korean soldier, marking the first known instance of such an incident.

According to South Korean officials, approximately 11,000 North Korean soldiers have been stationed in Russia to date, with indications that more troops and military supplies may be sent there soon.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy reported that North Korea has experienced over 3,000 casualties in the Kursk area.

elly@yna.co.kr

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