**North Korean Troops Suffer Mass Casualties in Ukraine**
The White House has confirmed that North Korean troops are experiencing heavy losses while fighting alongside Russian forces against Ukraine. According to John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesperson, over 1,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded in just one week.
This information comes after Ukraine’s military intelligence agency reported similar losses on December 26. The White House believes that these casualties are due to the fact that Russian and North Korean leaders are treating their troops as expendable.
**Human Wave Attacks**
Kirby also stated that North Korean units have been carrying out “human wave” attacks against Ukrainian positions, with little success. These attacks involve large groups of soldiers charging forward in an attempt to overwhelm Ukrainian defenses.
**Soldiers Refuse to Surrender**
Some North Korean soldiers have reportedly taken their own lives rather than surrendering to Ukrainian troops. This is due to fear that if they are captured, their families will be targeted by the Russian government.
**President Zelensky Confirms High Casualties**
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that over 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or injured since their deployment in Kursk Oblast. Russia has stationed around 12,000 North Korean soldiers in the region to assist in ousting Ukrainian forces.
**Background**
Ukraine first began its surprise incursion into Kursk Oblast on August 6, with the goal of holding onto territory that can be used as a bargaining chip in future negotiations with Russia. The first confirmed battles between Ukrainian and North Korean units occurred on November 5.
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