Over 7,000 North Korean troops killed or wounded in Russia’s war, Ukraine reports

Brigadier General Dmytro Usov reports 7,058 North Korean soldiers killed or wounded in Russia's war against Ukraine, as Kim Jong Un hails "suicide attacks."

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 29, 2026, 10:52 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Interfax-Ukraine

Escalating Casualties Among DPRK Forces

Brigadier General Dmytro Usov, Secretary of the Coordination Headquarters, released updated casualty figures on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. According to the report, North Korean combat losses in the war against Ukraine now total 7,058 individuals. This includes 2,251 killed in action (KIA) and 4,807 wounded. These numbers represent a significant increase from February 2026, when South Korean intelligence estimated casualties at approximately 6,000.

Deployment and Force Composition

The military presence of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Russia has grown to a total of 14,061 personnel who have passed through the conflict zone. Current deployment statistics provided by the Headquarters include:

Total currently deployed: 9,500 troops.

Kursk Front specifics: South Korean intelligence notes roughly 11,000 troops (10,000 regular and 1,000 engineering) were concentrated in the Kursk region as of early 2026.