North Korean troops are suffering heavy losses in fighting in Russia's Kursk region and are facing serious logistical difficulties as a result of Ukrainian attacks, Ukrainian military intelligence reported today, as cited by AP and BTA.
According to the intelligence agency, known by its acronym GUR, Ukrainian strikes near the village of Novoivanovka have inflicted significant damage on North Korean units. Ukraine says that as a result of these strikes, North Korean troops are experiencing supply difficulties and even facing a shortage of drinking water.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier this week that 3,000 North Korean soldiers had been killed or wounded in the fighting in the Kursk region. This is the first official estimate by Ukraine of the number of North Korean casualties since North Korea sent 10,000 to 12,000 troops to Russia to help its efforts in the war, which has been going on for almost three years.
In August, Ukrainian forces launched an offensive in the Kursk region, inflicting significant blows on the Russian army and forcing Russia to divert some of its troops from eastern Ukraine.
The Russian army managed to regain some territory in the Kursk region, but was unable to completely push out Ukrainian forces, the AP added.