Seoul: A U.S. expert revealed that up to 50 percent of North Korean troops deployed to support Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine may have been injured or killed. This estimate comes as Moscow continues to engage in “attrition” warfare, which is characterized by substantial casualties.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Seth Jones, president of the Defense and Security Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), provided these insights amidst reports of significant troop casualties. Approximately 12,000 North Korean soldiers were sent to Russia’s front-line Kursk region, where they have faced severe losses.

Jones shared during a CSIS podcast that casualty rates among the North Korean forces were significant, with estimates ranging from one-third to potentially 50 percent. He noted the difficulty in determining precise figures but mentioned that up to 1,000 soldiers might have been killed, highlighting the heavy toll on the 11,000 to 12,000-strong force.

Russia’s strategy i
nvolves “attrition” warfare, utilizing human waves to make gains on the battlefield, Jones explained. He stated that the Russian approach to regaining territory involves accepting high casualty rates, with North Korean troops being used as part of this strategy. From President Vladimir Putin’s perspective, the political ramifications are minimal since the majority of Russian troops come from non-elite backgrounds.

Jones also relayed information from Ukrainian forces, describing North Korean soldiers as “fierce fighters” who were eager to “fight and die,” although they reportedly exhibited some disorganization. He pointed out that the cohesion between North Korean and Russian units was poor, largely due to language barriers and issues with command and control.

This week, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service corroborated a report from The New York Times, confirming that North Korean troops deployed to Russia were withdrawn from the front lines in mid-January after suffering heavy casualties.