North Korean Soliders in Ukraine Face Heavy Drinking Problems – More Soldiers Deployed to Kursk

Recent reports indicate that North Korean troops deployed to Russia are causing controversy, with alcohol-related issues, including excessive drinking, emerging as a primary concern. There are also ongoing reports of significant casualties among North Korean soldiers on the battlefield.

According to RBC-Ukraine on Thursday, the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense reported via Telegram that morale is plummeting among North Korean soldiers stationed on the front lines in Russia’s western Kursk region.

The HUR noted that these soldiers are being heavily influenced by constant Russian propaganda, which stresses the importance of North Korea’s involvement in the war against Ukraine. The intelligence agency also revealed that lower-ranking Russian officers have been falsifying casualty reports, downplaying the actual number of losses. Furthermore, the HUR highlighted frequent incidents of heavy drinking among North Korean soldiers involved in combat operations.

Reports suggest that around 11,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia, with some engaging in intense fighting in the Kursk region since December 16, 2024. However, the U.S. Department of Defense has stated that North Korean forces have had little impact on the battlefield and have sustained significant casualties.

On December 23, 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed that more than 3,000 North Korean soldiers had been killed or wounded in the fighting in Kursk. Russian forces have been deploying additional North Korean troops to offset these losses to the front lines. According to the HUR, more North Korean soldiers were sent to the Kursk region on Tuesday and Wednesday.