Ukraine Strikes Hard in Kursk: 40,000 Russian Losses and North Korean Forces in Chaos

Ukraine Strikes Hard in Kursk: 40,000 Russian Losses and North Korean Forces in Chaos

Dagens.com (AU)

Story by Camilla Jessen

06/02/2025

 

우크라이나, 쿠르스크 강습 : 러시아군 40,000명 손실과 북한군 혼란

카밀라 제센(Camilla Jessen)의 이야기

Photo: Wikimedia Commons© Photo: Wikimedia Commons

 

Ukraine’s armed forces have inflicted massive losses on Russia in the Kursk region over the past six months, according to a new report from Ukraine’s General Staff, cited by The Kyiv Independent. With nearly 40,000 Russian troops killed, wounded, or captured, Kyiv has managed to disrupt Russia’s war efforts.

키예프 인디펜던트가 인용한 우크라이나 총참모부의 새로운 보고서에 따르면 우크라이나군은 지난 6개월 동안 쿠르스크 지역에서 러시아에 막대한 손실을 입혔다. 약 40,000명의 러시아군이 사망, 부상 또는 포로로 잡힌 키예프는 러시아의 전쟁 노력을 방해하는 데 성공했습니다.

 

Since August 2024, Ukraine has maintained a foothold in Kursk Oblast following a cross-border operation. Initially, they seized around 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of Russian territory, though they have since lost roughly half of it to Russian counterattacks.

However, the fighting continues, and Ukraine is now leveraging its presence in Kursk as a strategic bargaining chip in future negotiations to end the war.

우크라이나는 2024년 8월부터 국경을 넘나드는 작전을 통해 쿠르스크주에 거점을 유지하고 있다. 처음에는 약 1,300 평방 킬로미터 (500 평방 마일)의 러시아 영토를 점령했지만 이후 러시아의 반격으로 약 절반을 잃었습니다.

그러나 전투는 계속되고 있으며, 우크라이나는 이제 쿠르스크에 주둔하고 있는 것을 전쟁을 끝내기 위한 미래 협상의 전략적 협상 칩으로 활용하고 있다.

 

 

Russian Forces Suffer Heavy Losses

러시아군은 막대한 손실을 입는다

According to Ukraine’s General Staff, the massive casualties have forced Russia to divert troops and resources to Kursk, weakening its positions on other frontlines.

Nearly 40,000 Russian soldiers have been lost in the fighting, including 16,000 killed. On top of that, Ukrainian forces have captured 909 Russian soldiers, further strengthening Ukraine’s leverage in potential prisoner exchanges.

우크라이나 총참모부에 따르면 대규모 사상자가 발생하면서 러시아는 병력과 자원을 쿠르스크로 돌리게 됐고, 이로 인해 다른 전선에서 러시아의 입지가 약화되고 있다.

이 전투에서 16,000명이 사망한 것을 포함하여 거의 40,000명의 러시아 군인이 목숨을 잃었다. 여기에 우크라이나군은 러시아군 909명을 생포해 포로 교환 가능성에서 우크라이나의 영향력을 더욱 강화하고 있다.

 

The Ukrainian offensive has been described as an example of asymmetric warfare, where a smaller force, using tactical surprise and maneuverability, can inflict severe damage on a numerically superior enemy. This strategy has proven effective, allowing Ukraine to weaken Russian defenses while maintaining pressure along other parts of the front.

 

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North Korea Enters the War, but Pays a Heavy Price

The war has also drawn North Korea into the conflict, with reports indicating that Pyongyang deployed around 12,000 soldiers to Kursk in support of Russia. However, their involvement has turned into a disaster.

Approximately 4,000 North Korean troops have been killed in battle, and one of the three North Korean brigades has been "effectively destroyed." The other two brigades have lost significant combat capability, forcing Pyongyang’s forces to withdraw from the front lines by mid-January.

Despite the withdrawal, there is still uncertainty over North Korea’s future role in the war. While some reports suggest that North Korean troops have completely pulled out of combat, Ukraine’s military intelligence is working to determine whether this is a permanent withdrawal or merely a temporary tactical pause. The presence of North Korean soldiers in Ukraine has raised international concerns, as their involvement marks an escalation in foreign military assistance to Russia.

 

A Key Factor in Future Peace Talks?

 

On February 5, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the Kursk operation could become a crucial factor in negotiations to end the war. By forcing Russia to divert troops to Kursk, while battles continue in Donetsk, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine has possibly created a strategic dilemma for Moscow that could shift the course of the war.

While Ukraine has gained tactical advantages in Kursk, the situation remains unpredictable.

Russia may choose to reinforce its presence in the region or retaliate elsewhere. Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether North Korea will recommit troops to the battlefield or if Pyongyang has lost confidence in Russia’s ability to turn the war in its favor.

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