Ukraine says that the troops of N Korea may have left first line after strong losses

The Ukrainian Special Forces fighting in the western region of Kursk of Russia have told the BBC that they have not seen any troops of North Korea there during the last three weeks.

A spokesman said they had probably retired after suffering great losses.

Last week, Western officials told the BBC that, about 11,000 troops sent from North Korea to fight for Russia, 1,000 had been killed in just three months.

North Korea and Russia have not commented.

On Friday, the Ukrainian special forces spokesman told the BBC that he only referred to areas of the Kursk region, where his forces were fighting.

The spokesman did not say how long that line was in front.

And although this is not the complete image, it suggests important casualties from North Korea.

Separately, the New York Times also reported that the North Koreans had been removed from the front lines.

The newspaper cited US officials saying that the withdrawal may not be permanent, and the soldiers could return after receiving additional training or after the Russians present new ways of displaying them to avoid such heavy casualties.

Reports attributed to the intelligence of South Korea say that North Koreans are not prepared for the realities of modern war, and are especially vulnerable to being attacked by Ukrainian drones.

The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, and the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un, in recent months deepened bilateral ties, signing a security and defense treaty.

Pyongyang’s help to Moscow now also extends to large amounts of ammunition and weapons.

Last August, the Ukrainian elite troops launched a ray offensive in Kursk, taking more than 1,000 km2 (386 square miles) of Russian territory.

Since then, Russian forces have managed to resume a considerable part of that region.

Kyiv’s surprise incursion was aimed at changing the dynamics of war.

Initially the operation was expected to relieve pressure on other parts of the first line of more than 1,000 km (620 miles), particularly in eastern Ukraine.

Moscow continues its relentless, although slow, advances in the east, taking several settlements in the Donetsk region in recent weeks.

Now Kyiv is looking to hold on to the land he occupies in Kursk as a lever for any possible fire or peace negotiations with Moscow.

Russia launched a large -scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.