North Korean troops suffer heavy losses fighting for Russia

New intelligence estimates from South Korea suggest that North Korean forces deployed to support Russia’s war effort have suffered severe casualties, highlighting the growing human cost of Pyongyang’s involvement in the conflict.

According to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, roughly 6,000 North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian troops have been killed or wounded. The figures were reported by Yonhap News Agency and indicate that nearly three out of five troops sent by Pyongyang have become casualties.

Intelligence officials estimate that around 10,000 North Korean soldiers, along with approximately 1,000 military engineers, have been deployed to Russia’s Kursk region near active front lines. If confirmed, the casualty rate would exceed 50%, underscoring the intensity of the fighting and the risks faced by North Korean units operating in unfamiliar combat conditions.

The assessment comes amid increased scrutiny of North Korea’s expanding military cooperation with Russia. Despite the heavy losses, South Korean officials say Pyongyang views the deployment as strategically valuable.

The intelligence agency reported that about 1,100 North Korean soldiers returned home in December 2025, though analysts believe many could be redeployed to Russia. Officials also noted that North Korea has gained significant battlefield experience, including exposure to modern combat tactics, drone warfare, and real-time battlefield data. This knowledge is reportedly being used to modernize North Korea’s weapons systems with technical assistance from Russia.

As part of this effort, Pyongyang has created a new department focused on unmanned aerial vehicles and is working to develop and mass-produce drones. North Korean state media has shown Kim Jong Un publicly mourning fallen soldiers and later honouring troops who fought in the Kursk region, signalling the importance the regime places on its role in the conflict.

Key Takeaways

• South Korea estimates about 6,000 North Korean troops were killed or wounded.

• More than half of deployed forces in Russia’s Kursk region are casualties.

• Pyongyang is using combat experience to modernize weapons and drone programs.

Three out of five North Korean soldiers sent to fight for Russia were killed or wounded