Kyiv, Ukraine - Amidst conflicting reports regarding the presence of North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, a top Ukrainian intelligence official has claimed that thousands of North Korean soldiers remain engaged in combat in the Kursk region.
Major General Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate, told the US military news outlet War Zone in an interview published on Tuesday that reports of a complete withdrawal of North Korean forces from the front lines are inaccurate.
"The information about the complete withdrawal of North Korean troops is not true," Budanov stated. "They are still present in the Kursk region, and they are still participating in combat operations."
However, Budanov acknowledged that the number of North Korean troops in the area has decreased, and that Ukraine is currently investigating the reasons for this reduction.
"We need to wait a bit to understand whether there has been a real change, or if it's just a temporary decrease in their activity," he said.
According to Budanov, North Korean troops have suffered significant losses in the fighting, which he attributed to their lack of combat experience, limited equipment, and reliance on human wave tactics. He also claimed that North Korean soldiers are often sent into battle without combat vehicles, and that their unwavering loyalty to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un makes them willing to advance on Ukrainian positions even in the face of heavy fire.
"They are not afraid of death," Budanov said. "This makes them a dangerous enemy."
Budanov's remarks come as other reports suggest that North Korean troops have been withdrawn from the front lines due to heavy casualties. The New York Times reported last week that North Korean forces had suffered significant losses and were being withdrawn for retraining.
The National Intelligence Service of South Korea also confirmed on Tuesday that it had detected a decrease in North Korean military activity in the Kursk region since mid-January. The agency said that it was investigating the reasons for this decrease, but that it was likely due to the heavy casualties suffered by the North Korean troops.
The conflicting reports about the status of North Korean troops in Ukraine highlight the challenges of obtaining accurate information about the conflict. However, Budanov's claims suggest that North Korea remains committed to supporting Russia in the war, even if its troops are not always effective on the battlefield.
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