North Korea is preparing reinforcements for the Kursk region, according to the New York Times.

North Korea is preparing to send reinforcements to the Kursk region to assist Russia. The DPRK has already dispatched 11,000 troops to Kursk, where the Armed Forces of Ukraine reclaimed territory following an operation last summer. Reinforcements are expected "within the next two months."

This information is reported by The New York Times citing a high-ranking official from the U.S. Department of Defense.

It is noted that since the first combat encounter between Ukrainian and North Korean forces, which occurred in early December, approximately one-third of the North Korean soldiers have been killed or injured.

Meanwhile, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, stated this week that North Korea's casualties continue to rise. According to him, nearly half of the dispatched soldiers are either injured or killed, but he warned that they are "highly motivated, well-trained," and "brave."

The Armed Forces of North Korea consist of 1.2 million personnel and are among the largest standing armies in the world. The DPRK's entry into Russia's war against Ukraine marks a significant escalation of the conflict.

Background. Earlier, Mind reported that North Korean soldiers were ordered to kill themselves to avoid capture. Russians and other military personnel from North Korea are finishing off their wounded and doing everything possible to eliminate evidence of their involvement.

Recently, North Korean soldiers shot 5 Russian military personnel and fled. Their search in four regions has been ongoing for a week.