North Korean Soldiers Reportedly Killed in Ukraine: Zelensky and U.S. Denounce Deployment

Kyiv Independent

On Friday evening, December 27, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed in his daily address that several North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine had succumbed to their injuries. Zelensky criticized the Russian government for providing these troops with “minimal protection,” highlighting the grim realities of their deployment.

“Our soldiers managed to capture them,” Zelensky stated. “But they were very seriously wounded and could not be saved.” He went on to condemn what he described as “the madness of which dictatorships are capable,” referencing the decision to send soldiers to die “in battles in Europe.”

North Korean Troops in Kursk

According to Ukrainian intelligence, approximately 12,000 North Korean troops, including around 500 officers and three generals, have been stationed in Russia’s Kursk region. This development has raised serious concerns about the escalating internationalisation of the conflict in Ukraine, as well as the treatment and role of foreign soldiers sent to support Russia’s war efforts.

U.S. Response: “Expendable Troops”

The White House has also weighed in on the situation. John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council, commented on reports of North Korean troop casualties, noting that more than a thousand North Korean soldiers had died in “hopeless” assaults in the Kursk region. Kirby condemned the apparent disregard for these soldiers’ lives, asserting that “Russian and North Korean military leaders viewed them as expendable troops.”

The U.S. government has characterized this deployment as a further indicator of the growing desperation and moral bankruptcy of the Kremlin’s strategy in Ukraine. Kirby’s remarks underscore the international community’s concern about Russia’s increasing reliance on foreign manpower, particularly from nations like North Korea that are already under heavy scrutiny for human rights violations.

Geopolitical Implications

The revelation of North Korean involvement in the conflict adds a troubling layer to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Analysts suggest that Pyongyang’s decision to send troops may be tied to a deeper strategic alliance with Moscow, potentially involving arms deals or economic support. Meanwhile, the deployment of North Korean soldiers raises ethical and humanitarian questions, particularly given their apparent use as “cannon fodder” in high-risk operations.

Global Reaction

The involvement of North Korean troops has sparked widespread condemnation from Western nations and human rights organizations. Observers fear that the participation of these soldiers will further complicate efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The incident also highlights the broader consequences of authoritarian regimes collaborating in conflicts beyond their borders.

As the war in Ukraine drags on, the deployment of foreign troops—and their subsequent treatment—serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of geopolitical ambitions. The deaths of these North Korean soldiers, unprotected and used in perilous missions, underscore the lengths to which some regimes will go to achieve their objectives. For Ukraine and its allies, the challenge now lies in addressing these developments while continuing to defend against aggression.