Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believe that "North Korea is using the war in Ukraine as a testing ground for its own military capabilities". Source: ISW Quote from ISW: "Russia may be providing drone and missile technology to North Korea in exchange for North Korean troops fighting in Kursk Oblast.

North Korean soldiers had been missing from combat, fueling speculation they were pulled back after taking heavy losses.

This is almost certainly primarily due to heavy losses sustained during attacks against Ukrainian-held positions.” Reports differ on the scale of the losses but one put them as high as 4,000 North Korean soldiers killed or wounded.