CaliToday (25/10/2025): More than half of the North Korean troops deployed by Kim Jong Un to support Russia’s war effort have been killed in action, according to new intelligence reports cited by the Associated Press. The devastating figures reveal that of the 11,000 soldiers sent to Russia over the past year, over 6,000 have been killed, marking a catastrophic casualty rate of more than 50%.
Despite these staggering losses, the surviving North Korean units are reportedly being repositioned for a significant escalation. Intelligence indicates these troops are now preparing to engage in direct offensive combat operations inside Ukrainian territory. This marks a dramatic shift from their previous, largely defensive roles, where they were stationed in border areas such as Russia's Kursk region to free up Russian troops.
This move from rear-guard support to frontline assault signifies a new and dangerous phase of North Korea's involvement in the European conflict.
From Defense to Offense
The intelligence, which is beginning to paint a grim picture of the DPRK's expeditionary force, suggests a deepening commitment from Pyongyang despite the horrific cost.
The shift to an offensive posture is already being observed. British intelligence has separately confirmed that North Korean military teams are actively assisting Russian forces in combat operations. Specifically, DPRK drone (UAV) units have been identified supporting Russian long-range multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS) batteries.
These teams are reportedly aiding in the targeting of Ukrainian positions within the Sumy province, a region that has endured relentless cross-border shelling and drone attacks.
A 'Comprehensive Inversion of Global Stability'
The direct participation of uniformed North Korean soldiers in combat against NATO-backed Ukrainian forces is a development that geopolitical observers have long feared.
Analysts are describing the move as a perilous escalation and a scenario that fundamentally alters the nature of the proxy war. The situation, which pits a nuclear-armed rogue state's army directly against a U.S. and European-supplied military, has been described by several experts as "a comprehensive inversion of global stability."
The willingness of Kim Jong Un to sustain such heavy losses in exchange for Russian technological, economic, and military support highlights the high stakes of the new Moscow-Pyongyang axis. As surviving DPRK units now prepare to cross into Ukraine for direct attacks, the risk of a wider, more unpredictable conflict has significantly increased.