According to British intelligence, as of mid-January 2025, the total number of casualties exceeds one-third of approximately 11,000 combat units of North Korea deployed in the Kursk region.
"The high level of casualties among North Korean forces in a short period has almost certainly significantly degraded their ability to conduct offensive military operations in support of Russia's attempts to push Ukrainian troops out of the Kursk region," the intelligence reports.
Intelligence notes that despite considerable combat losses, North Korean troops have achieved only tactical successes in the Kursk region.
The analysis further adds that the Russian and North Korean forces are "almost certainly" facing challenges in integrating into the Russian command and control structure due to language differences.