Ukrainian forces have reported killing or injuring over 1,000 North Korean troops sent by Russia to fight in the Kursk region, as confirmed by Kyiv and officials in South Korea. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the number of casualties among North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region has surpassed 3,000. South Korean intelligence estimated the number of dead and wounded North Korean troops at 1,100, with plans for more troops to be sent. The North Korean soldiers, untrained in dealing with Ukrainian drones, suffered heavy losses. Ukrainian drone operators observed a North Korean soldier accidentally shooting his comrade while attempting to take down a drone filming them. Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces reported that their 8th regiment had killed 77 North Korean soldiers and wounded 40 over three days in Kursk. The conflict in Kursk marked the first capture of Russian land since World War II. Russian President Vladimir Putin had initially pledged to remove Ukrainian forces by October 1 but later changed the Kremlin’s stance. The ongoing fighting in Donetsk, another Ukrainian hot front, saw a significant increase in Russian assaults during the Christmas holiday. Russia made efforts to improve its tactics, with units attacking in an organized manner and with air support. Despite gaining territory, Russian forces suffered significant losses, with Ukraine estimating 17,400 Russian soldiers killed between December 17 and 26. Russia captured over 3,300 square kilometers of Ukrainian land in 2024. Ukraine retaliated by targeting Russian energy and defense sites, including setting military refueling stations on fire and disrupting operations at a Russian oil refinery. Ukraine’s military intelligence also claimed responsibility for destroying a Russian military transport plane. Ukraine’s NATO allies have pledged support, with Germany announcing a new military aid package including air defense systems for Ukraine. Putin challenged the West to a technological duel between his new ballistic missile and Western air defense systems. Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy condemned Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure on Christmas Day and called for increased defense systems from NATO allies.
