Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SSO) have eliminated 13 North Korean soldiers during recent operations in Russia's Kursk Oblast, according to an official statement released Tuesday. The operation, carried out by the 8th Special Ops Regiment, resulted in five North Korean soldiers killed in direct combat and eight more neutralized through drone strikes.
During a post-combat inspection, SSO operators recovered multiple items from one of the deceased soldiers, including a machine gun with specialized sighting equipment, a Chinese-Russian radio station, and drone detection gear. The soldier also carried non-standard military identification and a letter addressed to North Korea's Communist Party, suggesting an officer rank.
This engagement follows a pattern of intensifying Ukrainian operations in the Kursk region since August 2024, when Ukrainian forces first crossed into Russian territory. The SSO's 6th Ranger Regiment has been actively conducting strikes against both Russian and North Korean personnel in the area, employing snipers, engineers, drone pilots, and other specialized units.
The presence of North Korean troops in the conflict zone has been well-documented, with recent reports indicating heavy casualties among DPRK forces. In late December alone, Ukrainian drone operators reported eliminating 50 North Korean soldiers and wounding 47 others over just three days.
Video evidence has emerged showing North Korean troops operating in the Kursk Oblast, including footage of DPRK soldiers forcibly removing elderly Russian residents from their homes to use as shelter from Ukrainian drone attacks. Ukrainian intelligence sources confirmed the troops' identity through distinct physical characteristics and other collected data.
According to U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby, Russian forces have sustained approximately 40,000 casualties in the region, including over 1,000 North Korean soldiers. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently confirmed the destruction of a combined battalion of North Korean soldiers and Russian marines in the Makhnovka area during early January operations.
The ongoing offensive in Kursk represents a major challenge to Russian control in the region, with pro-Russian sources acknowledging mounting pressure from Ukrainian forces and anticipating further military escalation.