A defence intelligence update posted on Twitter by the UK Ministry of Defence has revealed that North Korean troops have been withdrawn from the frontline in Russia’s Kursk oblast, where they had been deployed to support Russian operations in Ukraine.
According to the update, North Korean forces, believed to number around 11,000 soldiers, had been assisting Putin’s army in efforts to recapture territory in the Kursk region following a surprise Ukrainian counterattack last summer.
The update stated:
“In January 2025, Russia’s territorial advances in Ukraine slowed as they took approximately 320 sq km, compared with approximately 400 sq km in December 2024. Russia seized control of the stronghold of Velyka Novosilka, but advances along most of the frontline have been relatively minor. Through 2024, Russian advances had been accelerating, with over 700 sq km taken in November 2024, one of the quickest rates of advance since the early stages of the conflict.”
Latest Defence intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 07 February 2025.
Find out more about Defence Intelligence’s use of language: https://t.co/9eO2iukOE0#StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/1mBHEckWbb
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) February 7, 2025
The intelligence further detailed that:
“In Russia’s Kursk oblast, Russia made minor advances in January 2025. Democratic People’s Republic of Korea units which had been deployed on offensive combat operations in Kursk Oblast have temporarily withdrawn from frontline positions, likely to rest and refit before redeploying. This is almost certainly primarily due to heavy losses sustained during attacks against Ukrainian-held positions.”
While the update does not offer further details on the broader implications of these withdrawals, it provides a rare insight into the operational tempo and challenges faced by the allied forces supporting Russia’s campaign in Ukraine. The decision to withdraw these units for rest and refit is seen as a necessary measure following substantial attrition.
Russian millbloggers on Telegram are complaining that the N Koreans have suffered numerous friendly fire casualties and their officers are being picked off by Ukraine snipers. Unsurprising, since Kim-un-fatman was told that his troops would first gain experience by being stationed behind the front lines in Kursk to prevent the front from collapsing, with Russian conscripts rapidly retreating without orders.
I bet that has done nothing for relations between the two armies.
So are the North Koreans there to step up and fill gaps or are they there to impose discipline, a la WW2. If so then the retreating soldiers are shooting first, may be?
Grim, whatever is happening.
Cheers CR
I read that NK is benefitting by sacrificing troops in exchange for tech on it missles which have apparently had their accuracy improved from about 1km radius of intended target to 50-100 metres.