There was one piece of information missing from North Korea’s foray into the conflict. While Ukraine’s latest efforts appeared to be aimed at convince Pyongyang troops to surrender in exchange for a new life away from the regime, there was not a single photo or image to corroborate it. In fact, until a few hours ago, North Korea had not entered the conflict, if anything it was waiting for a signal. Now it’s officialalthough in an uneven way.

The first casualties. First reported by Ukrainian military intelligence (GUR), then supported by the Pentagon and several videos. North Korean troops, deployed by Russia to reinforce its forces in the Kursk region, have suffered the first and significant casualties in recent clasheswith at least 30 soldiers injured or killed. A deployment that marks a significant turn after months of speculation about the role that the North Koreans would play in the conflict.

According to the Washington PostNorth Korean casualties are concentrated near the Russian villages of Plekhovo, Vorobzha and Martynovka. The GUR also reported that at least three soldiers are missing near Kurilovka. Although the current number of North Korean troops in Kursk ranges between 8,000 and 11,000another battalion is in the Russian region of Belgorod, with the possibility of being deployed towards Kursk or on a different front, such as Kharkiv.

Impact of inexperience. As reported from Ukraine through of several videosit has been observed a peculiar behavior in North Korean soldierswho advance in large groups into open fields, becoming easy targets for FPV drones, artillery and other Ukrainian weapons. Unlike Russian troops, who move in smaller formations and hide near tree lines to minimize their exposure, the North Koreans appear not to understand modern battlefield tactics.

Ukrainian commanders, as the drone operator identified as “Boxer”recounted to the Washington Post surprising scenes of 40 to 50 soldiers running across open fields without protection, a situation they described as “a perfect target” for precision weapons. These North Korean soldiers, identified as inexperienced and uncoordinated, face additional difficulties due to language barrier.

Friendly fire. In fact, the lack of communication has even led to friendly fire incidentssuch as when North Korean troops attacked vehicles of the Akhmat battalion of Chechen fighters, causing the death of at least eight of them, according to Ukrainian intelligence. The truth is that despite the ties between Russia and North Korea, language differences between troops have proven to be a critical obstacle.

Ukrainian intelligence indicated that the lack of interpreters has generated chaoswith only one translator assigned for every 30 North Korean soldiers. This situation has made operational integration difficult and has led to incidents such as the recent attack on Russian vehicles. For North Korean defense expert Joseph S. Bermudez Jr.conducting combat operations with allied forces that do not share a common language “presents serious problems.” Although North Korean soldiers have been dispersed among various Russian units, their poor communication with local troops has resulted in erratic and, in this case described above, deadly decisions.

Visual evidence and concealment. President Zelensky also shared images of drones on Telegram showing North Korean soldiers taking cover behind trees during an assault on Ukrainian positions. Besides, He denounced that Russian forces are trying to hide the North Korean presence by burning the faces of the dead on the battlefield. Zelensky harshly criticized North Korea’s participation in the conflict, stating that “there is no single reason for North Koreans to die in this war,” and calling their participation “a symptom of Putin’s madness.” For his part, the spokesman for the United States National Security Council, John Kirby, confirmed the significant casualties suffered for these troops and stressed that their deployment reflects the Kremlin’s desperation.

Furthermore, North Korean deaths have provoked strong condemnation by the European Union and countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and South Korea, calling Pyongyang’s participation a “dangerous expansion” with serious consequences for security in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region. At the same time, the United States Department of the Treasury announced new sanctions against nine people and seven related entities to financial and military support for the North Korean regime.

Strategic importance of North Korean deployment. There is no doubt, the use of North Korean troops not only reinforces Russian operations in the short term, but also symbolizes a strategic strengthening of the relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang. In addition to sending soldiers, North Korea has supplied millions of artillery shells to Russia, while in return it is speculated that you will receive advanced technologies to improve its nuclear, ballistic and submarine programs.

This exchange has sparked international concern, with condemnations from Western countries warning of its implications for security in Europe and on the Korean Peninsula.

Kursk as a symbol. Since Ukraine began the Kursk offensive last August, capturing a large portion of initially poorly defended territory, Russian forces They have launched two counteroffensives to recover part of the area. However, the fight appears to have stalled in recent weeks due to winter weather, with little progress on either side. In this context, North Korean participation offers Russia a possible numerical advantage, although limited by the lack of preparation and effectiveness on the ground that is being seen.

What does seem crystal clear now is that North Korea has fully entered the battlefielda new chapter in the war between Russia and Ukraine, with implications that transcend the conflict.

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