North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine are now struggling with food shortages just five months after their reported arrival on the battlefield, according to Kyiv’s intelligence unit.
In a recent war update posted on Telegram, the Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) stated that some of Moscow’s foreign reinforcements are suffering from malnutrition due to inadequate food supplies for daily operations.
Most of these troops are stationed in the Kursk region, where fighting has intensified following a surprise incursion by Ukrainian forces in August.
To address the situation, the Russian government reportedly dispatched its deputy commander for resource support to implement a solution.
The official then ordered food rations from the food reserves of airborne assault brigades to alleviate the hunger issue among North Korean troops, the intel report added.
‘At Least 12,000 Soldiers’
Following the signing of a mutual defense treaty with Moscow, Pyongyang has sent more than 10,000 soldiers to support Russian forces, according to the US Department of Defense.
These reinforcements have been deployed to several frontlines, including the Kursk Oblast.
“All indications are that they will provide some type of combat or combat support capability,” US Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said. “We would fully expect that the Ukrainians would do what they need to do to defend themselves and their personnel.”
The North Korean forces have already faced their first casualties, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirming the deaths of North Korean soldiers in battle.
Additionally, the Ukrainian military claimed to have destroyed a North Korean Bulsae-4 anti-tank missile system using a suicide drone.
