North Korean forces have suffered “a number of hundred” casualties combating towards Ukrainian troops in Russia’s Kursk area, in keeping with a senior US army reputable.Pyongyang has despatched 1000’s of troops to toughen Russia’s struggle effort, together with to the Kursk border area, the place Ukrainian forces seized territory previous this yr.“A number of hundred casualties is our newest estimate that the DPRK has suffered,” the reputable mentioned on situation of anonymity, the usage of an abbreviation for North Korea’s reputable identify.This “would come with the whole thing from … gentle wounds as much as being KIA (killed in motion)”, the reputable mentioned, with infantrymen of “all ranks” a few of the casualties.“Those aren’t battle-hardened troops. They haven’t been in fight prior to,” the reputable mentioned, including that this used to be most likely contributing to “why they have got been struggling the casualties that they’ve by the hands of the Ukrainians”.The reputable’s feedback on casualties got here after Ukraine’s commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrsky mentioned Russia has used North Korean troops on the center of an “extensive offensive” in Kursk over a number of days.North Korea and Russia have bolstered their army ties since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. A landmark defence pact between Pyongyang and Moscow signed in June got here into pressure previous this month.Mavens say the nuclear-armed North’s chief, Kim Jong-un, is raring to procure complex era from Russia and struggle revel in for his troops.US President Joe Biden’s management has been a key supporter of Kyiv, and has been speeding to supply it with billions of bucks in already accredited support prior to president-elect Donald Trump takes place of job subsequent month.Trump has time and again criticised US help for Ukraine and claimed he may safe a ceasefire inside hours – feedback that experience brought on fears in Kyiv and Europe about the way forward for US support below his management.A senior defence reputable mentioned on Tuesday that no longer all the last $5.6bn that may be drawn from US shares could also be utilized in time.“I’d definitely look ahead to … there may well be last authority that may transition and be to be had for the following management to make use of,” the reputable mentioned on situation of anonymity.
