Fact Check: North Korea's Casualties in Russia's Kursk Oblast
What We Know
According to a report from the United Kingdom's defense intelligence, North Korea has suffered more than 6,000 casualties during offensive operations in Russia’s Kursk Oblast as of June 15, 2025. This figure represents over half of the approximately 11,000 North Korean troops initially deployed to the region in the fall of 2024. The high casualty rate has been attributed to "large, highly attritional dismounted assaults" by UK intelligence sources (Kyiv Independent, Ukrainska Pravda).
Furthermore, open-source intelligence has indicated that North Korea has sent additional troops to replace the losses, with reports suggesting that around 3,000 soldiers were transferred to Russia in early 2025 (Kyiv Independent). The involvement of North Korean forces alongside Russian troops was confirmed by Russia in April 2025, marking a significant military alliance between the two nations (Ukrainska Pravda).
Analysis
The claim that North Korea has sustained over 6,000 casualties in Kursk is supported by multiple credible sources, including the UK Ministry of Defence and various news outlets reporting on the intelligence update. The UK intelligence report is particularly significant as it provides a direct source for the casualty figures, asserting that these losses are likely due to the nature of the combat operations being conducted (Kyiv Independent, Ukrainska Pravda).
The reliability of the UK intelligence report can be considered high, given the UK's established military and intelligence capabilities. However, it is important to note that casualty figures in conflict zones can often be difficult to verify independently. The reports from South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff and other military analysts add further context and corroboration to the casualty estimates, indicating a consensus among various intelligence communities regarding the scale of North Korean losses (Kyiv Independent, Ukrainska Pravda).
Conclusion
The claim that North Korea has suffered more than 6,000 casualties during offensive operations in Russia’s Kursk Oblast is True. The evidence from UK defense intelligence, supported by additional reports from credible sources, confirms that these losses account for a significant portion of the North Korean forces deployed in the region. The high casualty rate reflects the intense nature of the combat operations occurring in Kursk, further solidifying the validity of the claim.
Sources
- North Korean losses exceed 6000 in Russia's Kursk Oblast ...
- UK intelligence: North Korean forces have suffered over ...
- British Defence Intelligence Update Ukraine 15 June 2025
- 6000 North Korean troops lost in Kursk supporting Russia
- North Korean losses exceed 6000 in Russia's Kursk Oblast ...
- British intel reveals major North Korean losses in Kursk ...
- DPRK's casualty toll in Russia's Kursk region over 6K, UK ...
- UK Intelligence: Over 6000 North Korean Troops Killed in ...