Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believe that "North Korea is using the war in Ukraine as a testing ground for its own military capabilities". Source: ISW Quote from ISW: "Russia may be providing drone and missile technology to North Korea in exchange for North Korean troops fighting in Kursk Oblast.

North Korean troops, largely special ops forces, have suffered high casualties in bloody assaults not unlike other units, including prison units.

Zelensky made the comments during his evening address to the nation, adding that during recent fighting "a significant number of occupiers have been eliminated, we're talking hundreds of Russian and North Korean servicemen.

North Korean soldiers had been missing from combat, fueling speculation they were pulled back after taking heavy losses.