Fierce Battles in Kursk as Ukraine Reports Heavy Russian and North Korean Casualties
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has reported significant battlefield losses for Russian and North Korean forces in Russia’s southern Kursk region. According to Ukrainian intelligence and Western assessments, approximately 11,000 North Korean troops are currently deployed in the region, supporting Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine.
In his nightly video address on Saturday, Zelenskiy cited top Ukrainian military commander Oleksandr Syrskyi, stating that intense battles had taken place near the village of Makhnovka, close to the Ukrainian border.
“In battles yesterday and today near just one village, Makhnovka, in Kursk region, the Russian army lost up to a battalion of North Korean infantry soldiers and Russian paratroops,” Zelenskiy said. “This is significant.”
While he did not provide exact figures, a battalion typically consists of several hundred troops.
North Korean Troops Suffering Heavy Losses
This is not the first time Ukraine has reported major North Korean casualties. Just last week, Zelenskiy stated that North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian troops were suffering heavy losses and were often left unprotected by their Russian counterparts.
Even more alarming, Zelenskiy claimed that North Korean forces were going to extreme lengths to avoid capture—some reportedly choosing to fight to the death rather than surrender. In some cases, they were allegedly being executed by their own commanders to prevent them from becoming prisoners of war.
The Fiercest Fighting is in Pokrovsk
Beyond the Kursk region, the Ukrainian president described fierce battles along the entire 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, with the most intense fighting happening near the city of Pokrovsk.
Russian forces have been launching relentless assaults, attempting to bypass Pokrovsk from the south to cut off Ukrainian supply lines. Ukrainian military officials confirmed that Pokrovsk remains the hottest point on the battlefield, with ongoing Russian attempts to take control of the area.
The city of Pokrovsk is strategically important because it houses Ukraine’s only remaining coking coal mine, which supplies coal to the country’s struggling steel industry. Before the war, the city had a population of around 60,000 people. Today, Ukrainian officials estimate that only about 11,000 residents remain.
What Happens Next?
With Russian forces reportedly suffering significant losses, it remains to be seen whether their tactics will shift or if they will continue throwing manpower into high-casualty assaults. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s counteroffensive in Kursk highlights a growing trend of cross-border attacks, signaling that Kyiv is increasingly taking the fight into Russian territory.
As the situation on the battlefield evolves, Ukraine’s ability to sustain its defense and continue cross-border operations could significantly shape the next phase of the war.
Do you think Ukraine’s strategy of attacking inside Russia will change the course of the war? Share your thoughts in the comments.
