North Koreans employ ‘human wave’ tactics against Ukrainian defenses in Kursk
According to White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby, North Korea is experiencing “heavy casualties,” as he informed reporters.
TroibNews 
North Korean troops are launching attacks on Ukrainian positions within Russia’s western Kursk region, as reported by White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby on Friday. This development occurs amidst Russia's ongoing assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure as winter approaches.
During a briefing, Kirby informed reporters that North Korean units are conducting “massed dismounted assaults” against Ukrainian forces in Kursk, suggesting that these troops are primarily engaged in ground combat. He noted that these soldiers are “highly indoctrinated, pushing attacks even when it is clear that those attacks are futile.” Kirby also highlighted a troubling trend, stating that some North Korean soldiers are dying by suicide, possibly due to fears of repercussions for their families if they fall into enemy hands.
Despite the inefficacy of the “human wave tactics” employed by these forces, which are resulting in “heavy casualties,” Kirby acknowledged that Russia is making “plodding progress” in eastern Ukraine and continues to strike at Ukraine’s energy resources.
Furthermore, Kirby mentioned that the U.S. is preparing additional security assistance to bolster Kyiv's defense and counterattacks against both Russian and North Korean forces. He asserted that “nothing has changed” regarding U.S. restrictions on Ukraine’s use of weaponry provided by the U.S. against targets in Russian territory, regardless of whether they are Russian or North Korean.
These remarks underscore the ongoing involvement of North Korean troops in Russia's nearly three-year invasion of Ukraine. Earlier in December, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that North Korean forces were being organized into battalions for combat in the Kursk region, where Ukraine successfully launched an unexpected offensive during the summer and has retained control over several border cities in recent months.
According to South Korea’s intelligence agency, an estimated 11,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia, with casualties, including both fatalities and injuries, totaling in the thousands.
Kirby expressed concern, stating, “It remains deeply troubling that Putin has decided to use foreign troops on Russian soil to defend that soil, which is a historic move that hasn't been done for decades. I hope they're loading up their commanders with a bunch of body bags, because they're clearly going to need them.”
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
During a briefing, Kirby informed reporters that North Korean units are conducting “massed dismounted assaults” against Ukrainian forces in Kursk, suggesting that these troops are primarily engaged in ground combat. He noted that these soldiers are “highly indoctrinated, pushing attacks even when it is clear that those attacks are futile.” Kirby also highlighted a troubling trend, stating that some North Korean soldiers are dying by suicide, possibly due to fears of repercussions for their families if they fall into enemy hands.
Despite the inefficacy of the “human wave tactics” employed by these forces, which are resulting in “heavy casualties,” Kirby acknowledged that Russia is making “plodding progress” in eastern Ukraine and continues to strike at Ukraine’s energy resources.
Furthermore, Kirby mentioned that the U.S. is preparing additional security assistance to bolster Kyiv's defense and counterattacks against both Russian and North Korean forces. He asserted that “nothing has changed” regarding U.S. restrictions on Ukraine’s use of weaponry provided by the U.S. against targets in Russian territory, regardless of whether they are Russian or North Korean.
These remarks underscore the ongoing involvement of North Korean troops in Russia's nearly three-year invasion of Ukraine. Earlier in December, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that North Korean forces were being organized into battalions for combat in the Kursk region, where Ukraine successfully launched an unexpected offensive during the summer and has retained control over several border cities in recent months.
According to South Korea’s intelligence agency, an estimated 11,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia, with casualties, including both fatalities and injuries, totaling in the thousands.
Kirby expressed concern, stating, “It remains deeply troubling that Putin has decided to use foreign troops on Russian soil to defend that soil, which is a historic move that hasn't been done for decades. I hope they're loading up their commanders with a bunch of body bags, because they're clearly going to need them.”
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
