Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported substantial losses among Russian and North Korean troops near the village of Makhnovka in Russia’s Kursk region on January 4, 2025. According to Zelensky, in just two days of fighting, the Russian army lost up to a battalion’s worth of North Korean infantry soldiers and Russian paratroops. This statement was made in Zelensky’s nightly video address, highlighting the ongoing conflict’s intensity in the Kursk area, which borders Ukraine.
The engagement near Makhnovka underscores a significant deployment of North Korean forces alongside Russian troops, an unusual and escalating aspect of the conflict. Ukraine has been holding onto parts of Kursk since a surprise incursion in August, aiming to use this territory as leverage in future negotiations with Russia. Zelensky’s claim adds to previous reports where Ukrainian and Western sources estimated around 11,000 North Korean troops were active in the region, contributing to the Russian military’s efforts.
This battle’s casualty figures, if accurate, would indicate a significant blow to the Russian and North Korean military presence in the area. Zelensky’s mention of these losses also serves as a call for international attention to what he describes as an escalation, with North Korean troops being used in combat roles, potentially expanding their involvement to other parts of the conflict zone.
The conflict in Kursk, situated near the Ukrainian border, continues to be a focal point, with both sides suffering considerable human and material losses as the war progresses into its third year. Zelensky’s report adds another layer to the complex military dynamics in the region, highlighting the international dimensions of the conflict with North Korea’s direct military involvement.
