Over the weekend, North Korean soldiers were reported returning home in body bags after fighting alongside Russians in large numbers for the first time. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that preliminary data indicated the Russians had started using North Korean soldiers in their attacks. Ukraine’s military intelligence reported that the North Koreans were embedded with Russian Marines and Airborne troops in the Russian region of Kursk, which Ukraine had counter-invaded. The GUR estimated that combined losses of Russians and North Koreans reached 200 on the first day of engagement, with eight North Korean soldiers reportedly killed in a friendly fire incident with Chechen troops. Al Jazeera was unable to verify the casualty toll. The language barrier posed challenges in managing and coordinating the troops, leading to significant losses as North Korean soldiers attempted to recapture Russian villages near the Ukrainian border. Ukrainian units highlighted their success against the North Koreans, with one Marine Corps unit releasing drone footage purportedly showing North Korean casualties. The Faust Unit of Ukraine’s Special Forces claimed to have killed or wounded 33 North Korean soldiers using light drones, while the 8th Regiment reported killing 50 and wounding 47 between Saturday and Monday. The 95th Polissia Airborne Assault Brigade also claimed to have inflicted casualties on the North Korean soldiers. Ukrainian military intelligence reported that the DPRK units had set up additional observation posts to detect drones after suffering serious losses. Zelenskyy accused Russia of burning the faces of killed North Korean soldiers to obscure their deaths, condemning the use of Korean mercenaries in the conflict. Ukraine also conducted sabotage and assassination operations behind enemy lines, targeting Russian military assets and personnel. The use of ATACMS missiles by Ukraine was noted to have reduced the number of Russian glide bomb strikes, hampering Russia’s ability to launch attacks. US President Joe Biden’s authorization of deep strikes using ATACMS was seen as a significant development in the conflict. However, some criticized the decision, including President-elect Donald Trump, who expressed concerns about allowing missiles to be launched into Russia. The use of ATACMS by Ukraine was believed to have intensified Russia’s urgency to secure battlefield gains. Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the armed forces for their achievements in the special military operation, claiming the liberation of numerous settlements. The conflict between Ukraine, Russia, and North Korea continued to escalate, with both sides facing significant casualties and strategic challenges.
