Ukraine’s Defense Forces launched the Kursk operation one year ago on 6 August 2024, resulting in over 77,000 Russian military casualties, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi wrote on Facebook.

The operation was Ukraine’s response to Russia’s preparation of a new offensive campaign in northern Slobozhanshchyna, Syrskyi said. “After careful planning of the operation, our units were able to break through enemy defenses, go deep into the Russian rear and disrupt its logistics,” he said.

At the operation’s peak, Ukrainian forces controlled up to 1,300 square kilometers of Kursk Oblast territory, forcing Russia to redeploy significant reserves and reducing pressure on other front directions. The operation prevented Russia from implementing its offensive plans and created a buffer zone that kept Sumy and Kharkiv free from attack.

Heavy casualties and equipment losses

Throughout the year in the Kursk grouping’s area of responsibility, Ukrainian forces inflicted significant losses on the Russian army. Russia lost over 77,000 military personnel killed and injured, including approximately 4,000 North Korean citizens, according to Syrskyi’s report.

Ukrainian forces also destroyed or damaged 7,236 units of Russian weapons and military equipment, including 11 tanks, 1,083 armored fighting vehicles, 907 artillery systems, one aircraft, three helicopters, 15 air defense systems, and 2,795 vehicles.

The operation resulted in the capture of 1,018 Russian servicemen, enabling the return of hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers, including those held captive since 2022.

Mission objectives achieved

The Commander-in-Chief emphasized that the Kursk offensive operation achieved most of the goals set by senior leadership.

“In fact, Russian forces was able to restore lost positions and areas only after it involved North Korean troops, significantly increased its grouping, and transferred the main intensity of the use of guided aerial bombs to Kursk,” Syrskyi said.

Russian forces only began recovering lost territory after North Korea deployed troops to support the operation and Russia intensified its use of guided bombs in the region.

As of today, Ukrainian troops maintain presence in the Glushkovsky district of Kursk Oblast, constraining part of the Russian offensive grouping.

North Korean involvement

North Korea has effectively joined Russia’s war against Ukraine by sending over 10,000 military personnel formed in Kursk Oblast and involved in combat operations. Pyongyang also supplies Russia with ammunition, artillery systems, and ballistic missiles used to shell Ukrainian cities.

South Korean intelligence previously reported that North Korea is preparing another batch of soldiers for Russia. According to CNN, North Korea may send an additional 30,000 military personnel to the war against Ukraine.