North Korea may have withdrawn its troops from the front line in Ukraine’s western Kursk region, according to Ukrainian special forces and Western officials. The withdrawal comes after suffering heavy losses, with reports suggesting that up to 1,000 North Korean soldiers were killed in just three months.
US officials quoted by the New York Times say the withdrawal may not be permanent, and the soldiers could return after receiving additional training or after Russia finds new ways to deploy them effectively. South Korean intelligence has warned that North Korea’s troops are unprepared for modern warfare and vulnerable to being targeted by Ukrainian drones.
The development is a significant blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plans, who had been counting on North Korea’s assistance in the war. The two leaders have strengthened their ties in recent months, with Pyongyang providing Moscow with large amounts of ammunition and weapons.
Ukraine’s surprise lightning offensive in August aimed to change the dynamics of the war, but Russian forces have since managed to retake a significant portion of the territory. Now, Kyiv is looking to hold on to the land it occupies in Kursk as leverage for any possible ceasefire or peace negotiations with Moscow.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjder8zgk48o