Former Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Photo: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Around half of the North Korean troops deployed to Russia’s Kursk Oblast are believed to have been killed, wounded or listed as missing in action.<\/p>\n
Source:<\/strong> UK Defence Intelligence update<\/a> dated 15 June on X (Twitter)<\/p>\n Details:<\/strong> According to UK intelligence, losses of North Korean troops exceed 6,000 personnel.<\/p>\n Advertisement:<\/p>\n
Quote:<\/strong> “The total casualties amount to more than half of the approximately 11,000 DPRK troops initially deployed to the Kursk region.”<\/p>\n More details: <\/strong>UK intelligence believes these heavy losses are likely the result of large, highly attritional infantry assaults.<\/p>\n The update also notes that on 4 June 2025, Russian Security Council Secretary and former defence minister Sergei Shoigu visited North Korea for the second time in three months to meet with the country\u2019s leader Kim Jong Un.<\/p>\n UK Defence Intelligence believes Shoigu is likely the Kremlin\u2019s lead negotiator for securing military support from Pyongyang for the war against Ukraine.<\/p>\n UK intelligence noted that as of mid-June, North Korean operations remain limited to the operational zone in Kursk Oblast. Any expansion beyond Russian territory, particularly into internationally recognised Ukrainian territory, would almost certainly require agreement from both Putin and Kim Jong Un.<\/p>\n Background:<\/strong><\/p>\n
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