How many North Korean soldiers died in the Russia-Ukraine war? BBC analysis of memorial wall estimates 2,300
BBC analysis, based on satellite images and official photos of a new memorial hall in Pyongyang, estimates that approximately 2,300 North Korean soldiers died while fighting for Russia in the Ukraine war. This figure is close to estimates from South Korean intelligence agencies.
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- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 22:55
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(Central News Agency London, 8th, comprehensive foreign news report) The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) estimates that approximately 2,300 North Korean soldiers died while fighting for Russia against Ukraine, based on an analysis of satellite images and official photos of a new memorial hall in Pyongyang.
BBC News reported that South Korea estimates at least 11,000 North Korean soldiers were sent to Russia after Ukraine's August 2024 raid on Russia's Kursk region, to assist Russian forces in retaking parts of western Kursk.
North Korea has never announced casualty figures for the Kursk operation, but a new memorial hall provides the first clear clues.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the construction of the memorial hall in Pyongyang last October to honor North Korean soldiers who died in the Russia-Ukraine war.
The "Memorial Museum of Combat Feats at Overseas Military Operations" officially opened on the 26th of last month, covering an area of about 52,000 square meters, consisting of two 30-meter long memorial walls, a main building, and a cemetery.
After analyzing multiple photos released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the BBC found that each wall is divided into about 14 sections, of which 9 sections are inscribed with the names of fallen soldiers. Each section has about 16 columns, and each column has 8 names.
Calculating with 9 sections, 16 columns per section, and 8 names per column, each wall is inscribed with 1,152 names, so the two walls together have 2,304 names.
Chung Songhak, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Strategy in South Korea, agreed with the BBC's estimate, stating, "Considering the wall area and text density, the number of recorded individuals could reach several thousands."
Due to the lack of higher-resolution images, the BBC could not precisely count the number, but the estimated value is quite close to the figures released by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) of South Korea. The NIS stated last September that approximately 2,000 North Korean soldiers died and another 2,700 were injured.
However, the NIS updated its figures in February this year, indicating that among the estimated 11,000 North Korean military personnel deployed to Russia, approximately 6,000 suffered casualties, but did not differentiate between deaths and injuries. Neither North Korea nor Russia has released official casualty figures. (Compiler: Hung Pei-ying) 1150508
BBC News reported that South Korea estimates at least 11,000 North Korean soldiers were sent to Russia after Ukraine's August 2024 raid on Russia's Kursk region, to assist Russian forces in retaking parts of western Kursk.
North Korea has never announced casualty figures for the Kursk operation, but a new memorial hall provides the first clear clues.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the construction of the memorial hall in Pyongyang last October to honor North Korean soldiers who died in the Russia-Ukraine war.
The "Memorial Museum of Combat Feats at Overseas Military Operations" officially opened on the 26th of last month, covering an area of about 52,000 square meters, consisting of two 30-meter long memorial walls, a main building, and a cemetery.
After analyzing multiple photos released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the BBC found that each wall is divided into about 14 sections, of which 9 sections are inscribed with the names of fallen soldiers. Each section has about 16 columns, and each column has 8 names.
Calculating with 9 sections, 16 columns per section, and 8 names per column, each wall is inscribed with 1,152 names, so the two walls together have 2,304 names.
Chung Songhak, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Strategy in South Korea, agreed with the BBC's estimate, stating, "Considering the wall area and text density, the number of recorded individuals could reach several thousands."
Due to the lack of higher-resolution images, the BBC could not precisely count the number, but the estimated value is quite close to the figures released by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) of South Korea. The NIS stated last September that approximately 2,000 North Korean soldiers died and another 2,700 were injured.
However, the NIS updated its figures in February this year, indicating that among the estimated 11,000 North Korean military personnel deployed to Russia, approximately 6,000 suffered casualties, but did not differentiate between deaths and injuries. Neither North Korea nor Russia has released official casualty figures. (Compiler: Hung Pei-ying) 1150508