Ukraine’s security service reveals North Korean troop casualties in Kursk

Ukraine’s Security Service said on Wednesday it has intercepted phone conversations between Russian forces revealing serious losses among North Korean soldiers fighting in Russia’s Kursk region.

In one of the conversations, a Russian soldier who is fighting in the Kharkiv region dicusses with his wife, a nurse in Moscow Oblast, about the casualties his unit has reported. The wife is heard saying that over 200 wounded North Korean soldiers were brought to Russian hospitals in just a few days.

“Yesterday, a train brought around 100. Today, another 120—so that’s 200 already. And who knows how many more are coming?” she says in disbelief.

In another intercepted exchange, she complains that North Korean troops are being given priority treatment over Russian soldiers.

“Are these Koreans some kind of elite? We’re clearing out special wards for them,” she remarks.

The SBU said it has launched a criminal investigation  into the participation of North Korean troops in Russia’s war against Ukraine. The case is being pursued under Article 437 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, which addresses crimes of aggression.