North Korean Troops Absent in Ukrainian Conflict Zone
Ukrainian forces have not seen North Korean troops for three weeks in the areas of Kursk Oblast where fighting is taking place. This comes as reports suggest that these troops suffered heavy casualties.
According to Colonel Oleksandr Kindratenko, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces (SOF), North Korean troops were last spotted in the area around three weeks ago.
High Casualty Rates
Experts say that North Korea’s high casualty rates are due to a lack of experience with modern warfare and their “human wave” tactics against entrenched Ukrainian positions.
Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi previously stated that half of the 11-12,000 strong North Korean contingent have been killed or wounded. This has led to speculation that North Korea may be rotating troops in the area.
Russia’s Allies
North Korean troops were deployed to support Russian forces last fall. Russia’s military is facing pressure as Ukraine continues fighting in the region.
Ukrainian officials believe that North Korea will send more reinforcements, including artillery units.
Other News
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Ukraine’s military intelligence agency reported that it had launched a cyber attack on Russian gas companies.
A drop in shipping activity at a Baltic Sea port suggests that Ukrainian drones struck an oil pumping station.
The head of the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA) has overturned a decision to remove her name from the state enterprise register.