More than 6,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed, wounded, or gone missing while fighting alongside Russian forces in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, according to a new report from UK intelligence.

The British Ministry of Defence, in its 15 June intelligence update, states that around half of the estimated 11,000 North Korean troops deployed to the area have become casualties.

A costly campaign tied to Ukraine’s cross-border offensive

In August 2024, Ukraine launched a rare cross-border operation into Kursk, briefly capturing territory and forcing Russia to redeploy troops. While initially successful, the campaign was eventually reversed. By March 2025, Ukrainian forces had withdrawn, ending the offensive without holding ground. However, Kyiv claims the operation disrupted Russian logistics and diverted enemy forces from other fronts.

High casualty rates from brutal ground combat

“Significant D​PRK casualty rates have almost certainly been sustained primarily through large, highly attritional dismounted assaults,” the report said, pointing to intense and costly infantry engagements on the ground.

UK intelligence analysts believe these tactics are leading to unsustainable losses for North Korean units involved in front-line fighting.

Shoigu holds talks with Kim Jong-un

On 4 June, Russia’s Security Council Secretary and former Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu visited North Korea for the second time in three months. He met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, signaling deepening military coordination between Moscow and Pyongyang.

Shoigu is believed to be the Kremlin’s lead negotiator managing North Korea’s military support for Russia’s war effort against Ukraine.

North Korean involvement confined to Kursk—for now

As of mid-June, North Korea’s military activity remains limited to the Kursk direction. According to UK intelligence, any expansion beyond Russian borders—particularly into internationally recognized Ukrainian territory—would almost certainly require joint authorization from both Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un.

Casualty estimates reflect rising toll

In April, a South Korean lawmaker citing intelligence sources reported that about 600 North Koreans had died in the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking in January, estimated that 4,000 North Korean troops had been killed or wounded.

Later, on 25 April, Ukraine’s General Staff announced that more than 4,500 North Korean troops had been neutralized since the launch of the Kursk offensive.

Russia is fielding rare 140 mm and 60 mm mortars from North Korea in its war on Ukraine, with new photos marking the first visual confirmation of their use in combat, according to NK News.

Militarnyi, citing NK News, reports that North Korea has delivered towed 140 mm mortars to Russian forces, following earlier transfers of 60 mm mortars. The artillery pieces, previously limited to D​PRK parades and museum displays, are now appearing alongside Russian troops operating in the Kursk Oblast. 

Photos shared by Russian military bloggers show several 60 mm mortars reportedly provided by North Korea to Russian paratroopers of the 76th Guards Air Assault Division. These troops, reportedly operating with D​PRK personnel in the Kursk area, were seen in combat positions with the mortars.

Expert assessment and origin of the weapons

Joost Oliemans, an expert in North Korean military systems, stated the photographs are the first evidence that these weapons are now actively used in the Ukraine war. He noted that the 60 mm mortar may have been North Korea’s attempt to imitate NATO-standard weaponry. Russian propagandists claim the mortar’s effectiveness remains unclear, according to Miltitarnyi.

Oliemans also explained that the larger 140 mm mortar was developed by North Korea during the 1980s and 1990s. The first known appearance of this system was during a military parade in 1992 marking the 60th anniversary of the D​PRK armed forces. He added that the model likely dates back to 1981.

Rising dependence on unusual calibers

Militarnyi notes that despite the growth in D​PRK arms supplies, Russia remains challenged by logistical issues arising from its reliance on non-standard calibers. The introduction of such unique artillery pieces complicates integration with existing systems.

In a recent development, Russia reportedly equipped one of its newly formed artillery brigades with Koksan self-propelled artillery systems, also received from North Korea.

Ukrainian drones reportedly attacked Russia’s Kursk Oblast overnight on 4 June.

Three unmanned aircraft were spotted over the city of Rylsk, according to the Russian Telegram channel Mash.

One drone fell on a private house in Rylsk, causing a fire. A 66-year-old woman was injured in the attack, oblast governor Alexander Khinshtein said.

Another Russian Telegram channel Shot wrote that local residents heard several explosions near Rylsk and the village of Krupets. Russian air defense shot down several unmanned aircraft, including FPV drones, the channel claimed.

Local Telegram channels published video footage showing a fire that allegedly resulted from the attack. No official information about casualties and damage was available.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that air defense systems shot down seven aircraft-type drones overnight. Four drones were destroyed over occupied Crimea. Two were shot down over Kursk Oblast. One drone was intercepted in Belgorod Oblast.

Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck a Russian military command post in Rylsk on 31 January. The General Staff called this operation part of systematic work to destroy Russian command posts. The goal was to deprive Russia of the ability to coordinate combat operations and logistics effectively.

A water supply tower and treatment facilities were also targeted. The water supply system continued functioning despite the strikes, the governor said. Explosions were also heard in the village of Terekhivka.

Massive drone attacks hit Russia on 2 June. Explosions were heard in various Russian cities, including Lipetsk and Kursk.

This also comes after a successful Ukrainian Spiderweb operation on 1 June that targeted four Russian military airbases deep inside Russian territory. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) used 117 AI-powered FPV drones, smuggled into Russia hidden in trucks.

The attack reportedly destroyed and damaged over 40 strategic aircraft—including Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 bombers and A-50 radar planes—used in attacks on Ukrainian cities.

The operation inflicted an estimated $7 billion in damage, hitting about 34% of Russia’s strategic missile carriers at their bases.

Exclusive

Ukraine’s best jets scramble to stop 50,000 Russians encroaching on Sumy. Armed with glide bombs and “NATO Wi-Fi,” F-16s strike Russians around Sumy while elite brigades abandon the north.

The world’s largest bank says Ukraine will fail—apparently forgetting Ukraine doesn’t take orders. JPMorgan’s $3.2 trillion credibility meets Ukrainian defiance.

Trojan truck op: Kyiv destroys “34%” of Russia’s strategic bomber fleet within hours with truck-launched FPV drones (updated). Zelenskyy said the operation was planned inside Russia, right next to an FSB office, and involved drone operators across three time zones.

Ukraine’s own drones crash Putin’s $7-billion “red lines” aircraft — while Russia fights them back with sticks. Ukraine’s rise to drone powerhouse has unleashed an industry producing 4.5 million flying killers a year — forcing Russian troops into WWI-style desperation to dodge death from above every six minutes.

Military

Frontline report: Europe’s Achilles heel becomes tripwire where Putin’s ambitions meet NATO’s steel. What was once NATO’s most vulnerable flank is now a red line.

Russian offensive attacks surge 19% in May while attempts of peace talks continue. On 4 May, Russian forces launched a record 269 assault operations — the highest number of attacks recorded in a single day this year.

Russia is trying to seize control of major city in northern Ukraine and shell it with artillery. Currently, nearly 50,000 Russian troops are being based on the borders of Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast.

Massive drone attack targets Russian military-industrial sites right after surprise Spiderweb operation that destroyed bombers. The overnight drone strikes across Russia reportedly targeted the Borisoglebsk military airfield and the NLMK steel-producing industrial complex.

Satellite images reveal wreckage of Russian strategic bombers after Ukraine’s Spiderweb drone operation deep in Russia. The images show destroyed Russian Tu-22M3 and Tu-95 strategic aircraft, used as long-range missile carriers for strikes against Ukraine.

Intelligence and technology

Ukrainian AI-powered drones prompt world’s largest long-haul carrier to reconsider flights to Russia. The airline has developed evacuation plans in case of emergency.

Russia cannot produce new Tu-160s or Tu-95s — only repair Soviet-era ones, says expert after Ukraine’s historic Spiderweb operation. The operation Pavutynnia has destroyed over 40 Russian aircraft worth $7 billion.

Ukraine’s 18-month covert Spiderweb operation claimed 41 destroyed or damaged Russian aircraft used for strikes on civilians. Ukraine’s Security Service head Vasyl Maliuk called the operation “extremely complex from a logistical standpoint” due to the three-time-zone coordination and revealed that it was overseen by the Ukrainian president.

International

Vilnius summit sends clear message — Ukraine’s NATO path is irreversible despite Russian ultimatums. At the summit, Zelenskyy briefs world leaders on a drone op straight out of a spy thriller.

Ukraine, Russia agree to exchange 6,000 bodies at Istanbul talks that againt fail to secure ceasefire. Russia is one more time refused to stop hostilities in Ukraine, apparently counting on a summer offensive on Sumy, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

Zelenskyy congratulates Poland’s newly-elected nationalist president who questions Ukraine’s EU/NATO path. The incoming Polish leader has promised to maintain support for Ukraine while representing Poland’s interests first, following a campaign where he repeatedly invoked controversial historical grievances from World War II.

Humanitarian and social impact

Not just civilians — Ukraine’s rescuers now deliberate targets in Russia’s genocidal war. Russia destroys fire stations and wounds rescuers.

Seven-year-old among injured civilians in Russian attack on Ukraine ahead of Istanbul peace talks. Russian forces deployed 80 strike drones and four missiles targeting residential areas.

Read our earlier daily review here.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent helicopter trip to the frontline Kursk Oblast, during which his aircraft allegedly came under Ukrainian drone fire, was orchestrated as a public relations stunt to demonstrate his “personal sacrifice” for the war effort, the Moscow Times reports.

The Defense Ministry promoted the story through state media, claiming the presidential helicopter was “at the epicenter of repelling a massive attack by enemy drones” during his visit to Kursk Oblast on 20 May. The trip was conducted in secrecy and only announced after Putin returned to Moscow.

Four current and former Russian officials, who spoke to The Moscow Times and requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of Putin’s security arrangements, said the Kremlin designed the incident to counter growing public dissatisfaction as ordinary Russians face increasing inconveniences from the ongoing drone strikes, such as flight cancellations and internet outages.

“Russians, dear ones, look. President Putin himself is suffering, tormented and even risking his own life. Your problems are trifles. You must grit your teeth and endure,” one Russian official told The Moscow Times, describing the intended message.

The reality of Putin’s security arrangements contradicts the public narrative of risk-taking, according to sources. Officials described his protection as increasingly stringent, with comprehensive health screenings for anyone in proximity to the president. One participant in Putin’s events this year recalled having to take PCR tests for multiple respiratory conditions, not just Covid-19.

Putin’s actual security arrangements involve hundreds of officers from multiple agencies including the Presidential Security Service, FSB, National Guard, and Interior Ministry.

Former Federal Guard Service officer Vitaly Brizhaty, who left Russia after the full-scale invasion, said Putin’s movements are so secretive that even intelligence officials often don’t know his location.

“He [Putin] doesn’t even trust his own people [the security services]. He only trusts his inner circle,” Brizhaty said.

Military expert Ivan Stupak, a former Ukrainian Security Service officer, questioned the plausibility of the incident. If genuine, he argued, it would represent a massive security failure requiring widespread dismissals within the Presidential Security Service.

“No one would ever allow such criminal negligence. Not even in a nightmare,” a government official told the publication.

Notably, the regular Kremlin press pool was excluded from this trip, and professional videographers were replaced by security personnel and other individuals. This departure from standard protocol was evident in the official footage, which lacked the typical high production values of presidential events.

Even respected Kremlin correspondent Andrei Kolesnikov from Kommersant, who reported on the alleged attack, was not present in Kursk and based his account on secondhand information.

Ukrainian forces captured 971 Russian servicemen during the Kursk operation, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Ukrainian forces launched a surprise cross-border incursion into Russia’s Kursk Oblast in August 2024, initially capturing significant territory and hundreds of prisoners before Russian counterattacks and overwhelming force led to a Ukrainian withdrawal by March 2025. The operation aimed to divert Russian resources, inflict military damage, and gain leverage for negotiations, but reportedly failed to sustain a long-term foothold in Russian territory.

“Defense Forces continuously fill the ‘exchange fund’ with Russian soldiers and officers to free our people from enemy dungeons,” the General Staff reported.

The Kursk offensive operation proved most effective for prisoner captures. Ukrainian defenders took 971 Russian military personnel captive between 6 August 2024, and 25 May 2025, the General Staff stated.

Defense Forces of Ukraine continue active operations in Kursk Oblast, according to the statement.

The General Staff described the Kursk campaign as an unexpected asymmetric move. “A quantitatively superior enemy can only be defeated by unconventional decisions, and the Kursk campaign became exactly such an unexpected and asymmetric move, the success of which is recognized by the world,” officials said.

The announcement comes after Ukraine and Russia completed a major prisoner exchange. The countries conducted their first part of a 1000-for-1000 agreement on 23 May. Ukraine returned 390 people, including 270 military personnel and 120 civilians.

Russia returned 307 Ukrainian defenders on 24 May. All were male enlisted personnel and sergeants.

On 25 May, Ukraine and Russia conducted the third part of the 1000-for-1000 exchange. Another 303 Ukrainian defenders returned home.

However, the three-day exchange did not include certain groups. Colonel Denis Prokopenko, commander of the Azov National Guard brigade, said no Azov fighters were exchanged during the three days.

Writer and former Kremlin political prisoner Stanislav Aseyev said that none of the civilians released in the 1000-for-1000 format had been in Russian captivity for eight years.