Fact Check: North Korea likely incurred over 6,000 casualties after deploying soldiers to Kursk in the autumn of 2024, as reported by the British Ministry of Defence.

Fact Check: "North Korea likely incurred over 6,000 casualties after deploying soldiers to Kursk in the autumn of 2024, as reported by the British Ministry of Defence."

What We Know

Recent reports indicate that North Korea has suffered significant casualties during its military operations in Russia's Kursk Oblast. According to a June 15 report from the United Kingdom's defense intelligence, North Korean losses exceed 6,000 troops, which represents more than half of the approximately 11,000 soldiers initially deployed to the region in the fall of 2024. This high casualty rate has been attributed to "large, highly attritional dismounted assaults" conducted by North Korean forces, as stated in the same report. Additionally, open-source intelligence suggests that North Korea has sent additional troops to replace the losses, with South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff reporting the transfer of around 3,000 more soldiers to Russia earlier in 2025 (Kyiv Independent).

Analysis

The claim that North Korea incurred over 6,000 casualties in Kursk is supported by multiple credible sources. The Kyiv Post and the Kyiv Independent both reference the same UK defense intelligence report, which is a reliable source given its governmental nature. The report's findings are corroborated by the context of North Korea's military involvement in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, where North Korean troops have been reported to be fighting alongside Russian forces since late 2024.

The casualty figures are significant, indicating a severe impact on North Korean military capabilities. The reports highlight the strategic implications of North Korea's involvement in the conflict, as it has emerged as a military ally to Russia, supplying not only troops but also military equipment in exchange for resources (EuroMaiden Press).

However, it is essential to consider the potential biases in reporting from sources that may have vested interests in the narratives surrounding the Ukraine conflict. While the UK defense intelligence is a credible source, the framing of the information by media outlets can sometimes reflect their editorial stance. Nevertheless, the consistency across multiple reports lends credibility to the claim.

Conclusion

The claim that "North Korea likely incurred over 6,000 casualties after deploying soldiers to Kursk in the autumn of 2024" is True. This conclusion is based on multiple corroborating reports from credible sources, including direct references to UK defense intelligence findings. The significant casualty figures point to the high-risk nature of North Korea's military engagements in the region.

Fact Check: North Korea likely incurred over 6,000 casualties after deploying soldiers to Kursk in the autumn of 2024, as reported by the British Ministry of Defence.