Russia shows North Korean soldiers fighting against Ukraine for the first time
Photo: The Russian Defense Ministry showed North Korean soldiers on video for the first time (screenshot)
The Russian Defense Ministry recognized the participation of North Korean troops in Russia's war against Ukraine. A video of North Korean soldiers training was shown by the Russian Telegram channel TASS.
The footage shows North Korean soldiers participating in the liberation of the Kursk region.
They can be seen moving around the training ground, practicing combat missions. North Korean soldiers are taught to shoot mortars and other weapons. One of the alleged trainers also showed them how to use grenades.
At the end of the video, the North Koreans are shown singing a song, probably after the training. It is unknown when and where the video was filmed.
North Korean troops in Russia
Russia continues to actively develop military and economic cooperation with North Korea. Since last year, Pyongyang has been supplying Moscow with ammunition and missiles. In early summer 2024, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un signed an agreement on a comprehensive strategic partnership.
In the fall, it was reported that North Korea had transferred over 10,000 military personnel to Russia. Some of them have already been deployed to the Kursk region, where North Korean soldiers are taking part in hostilities against the Ukrainian Defense Forces on the side of the Russian army.
Initially, the Russian authorities ignored reports of the presence of North Korean troops at the front. Even when the Ukrainian military captured two North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region.
After significant losses, the North Korean military was withdrawn from the front line. But later, the Russians sent the North Korean soldiers back into combat.
After long denials about North Korea's involvement in the fighting in the Kursk region, Russia confirmed its presence there last Saturday. The head of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov, reported to Putin on the alleged completion of the operation in the Kursk region.
During the report, he praised the North Korean military for acting side by side with the Russian military.
Subsequently, North Korea confirmed the deployment of troops to Russia. Moreover, Kim Jong Un promised that a monument dedicated to North Koreans who fought against Ukraine would be erected in North Korea.
