South Korean intelligence reports reveal that over 100 elite North Korean troops have been killed and around 1,000 more wounded while fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. These casualties occurred during the North Korean soldiers’ first battles in Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, as reported by South Korea’s National Intelligence Service. The elite “Storm” troops, known for their advanced training and indoctrination, were reportedly ill-prepared for the challenging conditions they faced in Ukraine, including drone attacks and unfamiliar terrain.
North Korean forces, including the Storm Corps, arrived in Russia in October and were quickly thrust into battle. In November, Ukraine reported its first attack on the North Korean soldiers. As of December, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned that preliminary estimates indicated over 3,000 North Korean troops had been killed or wounded in the fighting, primarily in Russia’s Kursk region. Ukrainian forces have been actively engaged in this area since launching an offensive in August.
Over 100 North Korean Elite Troops Killed and 1,000 Wounded Fighting for Russia in Ukraine
Despite the Storm Corps being among the most highly trained units in North Korea’s military, South Korean intelligence notes that they were poorly prepared for the specific challenges of warfare in Ukraine. The troops were reportedly not equipped to handle drone attacks and were unfamiliar with the local environment. The BBC also highlighted that while these soldiers receive advanced training compared to other North Korean forces, they suffer from undernourishment and poor health, affecting their combat readiness.
Ukrainian forces have also observed that North Korean soldiers have been vulnerable to drone attacks, often not recognizing the danger until it is too late. In one incident, North Korean troops accidentally killed eight Russian soldiers in what was described as a “friendly fire” incident, exacerbated by a language barrier. South Korean intelligence further reported that the North Korean troops had been hastily deployed, with only minimal Russian language training, learning a few essential military phrases before being sent into battle.
While these losses have been significant, experts caution against underestimating the potential impact of the North Korean forces. Russia’s strategy of using poorly trained troops to overwhelm Ukrainian positions may still make the North Korean soldiers valuable in that context. Ukraine has been attempting to persuade the North Korean troops to surrender through videos and leaflets, warning them that Russia treats them as expendable assets. Despite the high casualty rate, South Korean intelligence suggests that North Korea is preparing to send more troops to Russia, with Ukraine anticipating that additional North Korean soldiers will be deployed to the front lines in the future.
