Recent photographs published by Russia’s defense ministry reveal demining operations in the conflict-affected Kursk region of western Russia, indicating growing military collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang.
North Korean troops are depicted utilizing mine detection gear, being briefed by Russian engineers, and performing patriotic anthems prior to commencing their duties. A Russian commander, identified by the call sign “Veles,” commented, “They are excellent young men; they grasp things rapidly, pay close attention, and make notes.” Another commander, “Lesnik,” stated that the North Koreans were performing “at the same standard as my sappers, executing identical assignments as my men.”
Russia asserts that the deployment of North Korean forces comes after combat last year that assisted in repelling a significant Ukrainian advance into the western Kursk region. South Korean, Ukrainian, and Western sources informed Reuters that North Korea dispatched approximately 14,000 soldiers under a mutual defense agreement, with over 6,000 reportedly killed. The figures for battlefield casualties were not independently confirmable.
Zvezda, a channel linked to the Russian defense ministry, alleges that this new demining unit was “formed and dispatched to the Kursk region following orders from the Commander-in-Chief.” The channel reported that North Korean engineers “reached the Kursk region already proficient in undertaking missions in their own country” and subsequently “underwent thorough supplementary training provided by the Engineering Troops of the Russian Armed Forces.”
Photographs disseminated by the Russian defense ministry show Kim Jong Un’s sappers commencing every operation by paying homage to the North Korean flag, interpreting this as an indication of their preparedness “to fulfill any command from the Supreme Leader.” The Russian defense ministry contends that Russian trainers instructed them on managing “the newest NATO and Ukrainian mines” and on drone countermeasures.
North Korean engineers are now said to be employing Russian robotic demining systems like the Stalker and Uran-6.
The East to West News Agency conveyed that an initial contingent of thousands of North Korean military engineers has started removing explosives in the area, characterizing the endeavor as intended to minimize danger to Russian forces. Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, has additionally stated that North Korea is deploying 6,000 engineers to Russia.
It was stated that among the up to 12,000 North Koreans dispatched to aid Russia’s war campaign, “their casualties exceed 4,000. I believe two-thirds have perished.” Digital was unable to independently corroborate the casualty counts.
The Krasnaya Zvezda publication reported that joint Russian and North Korean teams are encountering an “unprecedented concentration” of anti-tank and anti-personnel mines, purportedly laid by Ukrainian forces, and noted that numerous such devices originated from NATO member states. Reuters was unable to independently confirm the situation on the battlefield.
As per the same publication, 37 out of 64 communities in the Bolshesoldatsky district remain inaccessible to civilians due to mining. The report further indicated that the sappers are continuously subjected to Ukrainian artillery and drone attacks, a claim Reuters was likewise unable to verify.
Ukrainian forces launched an offensive into the Kursk region in August 2024, occupying portions of the territory for several months. It was announced in April that Russian forces, assisted by North Korean detachments, had expelled them.
Reuters reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stated last month that the military collaboration between the two nations would “progress without interruption.”
This report includes contributions from Reuters.