North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine have mysteriously disappeared from the battlefield, according to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service. These soldiers were deployed to the Kursk region to aid in fighting against Ukrainian forces. Reports suggest that heavy casualties among the North Korean troops led to their redeployment, with estimates of as many as 4,000 soldiers wounded or killed.
The absence of North Korean soldiers could be a temporary regrouping, as Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has claimed that more troops were en route to Kursk. Both Russia and Ukraine are experiencing high casualties in the ongoing conflict, with Russia gaining less territory in recent months despite sustaining similar losses.
Ukraine is facing manpower shortages and has paused efforts to build new brigades, instead using reserves to replenish existing units. Russia, on the other hand, is attempting to encircle key cities like Pokrovsk to force defenders to withdraw and avoid urban battles.
The war in Ukraine has also extended to air raids, with Russia launching numerous drones and missiles at civilian targets. Ukraine has responded by targeting Russian military production facilities and energy sources.
Ukraine’s European allies have announced arms transfers and investments in the country’s defense industry. However, the United States, under the Trump administration, has made military aid conditional on securing rare earth minerals from Ukraine. This has led to delays in arms shipments to Ukraine, despite the ongoing conflict and the need for support.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
