Ukraine Claims Heavy Russian Losses Near Makhnovka, Alleges Involvement of North Korean Soldiers

Fierce battles near Kursk result in significant Russian casualties, with North Korean troops reportedly fighting alongside Russian forces, says President Zelenskyy.

Kyiv [Ukraine], January 5: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reported significant losses for the Russian army near the village of Makhnovka in Russia’s Kursk region, claiming that up to a battalion of Russian infantry, including North Korean soldiers, were eliminated in recent clashes.

In his nightly address, President Zelenskyy highlighted the ongoing intense fighting along the frontline, with the Pokrovsk sector witnessing the most heated confrontations.

Heavy Russian Casualties Reported

“Today, Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi gave me a detailed briefing on our actions at the front. The fiercest battles are near Pokrovsk, with Russia continuing to waste countless lives in aggressive assaults. I thank every brigade defending Ukrainian positions and eliminating the occupiers,” Zelenskyy stated, according to the Office of the President of Ukraine.

He further revealed details about the clashes near Makhnovka, claiming, “In battles today and yesterday near just one village – Makhnovka in the Kursk region – the Russian army lost up to a battalion of infantry, including North Korean soldiers and Russian paratroopers. And that’s tangible.”

Crisis in Sumy and Kharkiv Regions

Zelenskyy also addressed the aftermath of Russian bomb strikes on the Sumy region, where a residential building was destroyed, leaving seven people injured, including a two-year-old girl. Neighboring buildings also sustained damage, highlighting the human cost of ongoing air raids.

“Today, there were also strikes with guided aerial bombs on Myropillia and Vilna Sloboda in Sumy, and on the Kharkiv region. Rescue operations continue, and the injured are receiving medical assistance,” he added.

Meanwhile, the rescue operation in Chernihiv has been completed following a missile strike, where over 40 buildings were damaged or destroyed, resulting in one fatality.

North Korean Troop Presence in Russia

Reports from U.S., Ukrainian, and South Korean intelligence agencies estimate that 11,000 to 12,000 North Korean soldiers are currently in Russia, with some reportedly participating in combat operations.

Earlier, Ukraine’s military claimed that North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia were issued fake military documents, with altered names and birthplaces.

“Ukraine’s special forces killed three North Korean soldiers in Russia’s Kursk region and seized their documents. These documents lacked official stamps, photos, and included patronymic names structured in the Russian style, with birthplaces listed as the Republic of Tuva,” according to a CNN report.

Geopolitical Ramifications

The alleged involvement of North Korean troops in direct combat raises serious concerns over international security and diplomacy, adding a new dimension to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

As Ukraine continues its counter-offensive efforts, the presence of foreign fighters further complicates the dynamics on the battlefield, with mounting casualties and humanitarian crises on both sides.