Recently unveiled photos from Russia’s defense ministry depict North Korean troops engaged in mine-clearing activities in the conflict-affected Kursk region of western Russia. This development highlights the escalating military collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang.
The images capture North Korean soldiers utilizing detection tools, receiving guidance from Russian engineers, and singing patriotic tunes prior to commencing their tasks. A Russian officer, known by the call sign “Veles,” praised their aptitude, stating, “They’re impressive young men, quick to learn and attentive to instructions.” Another officer, “Lesnik,” remarked that the North Koreans were working “on par with my sappers, performing the same duties as my team.”
As per a report by Reuters, Russia claims that the deployment of North Korean troops followed a significant battle last year, which successfully thwarted a Ukrainian advance into the Kursk region. Sources from South Korea, Ukraine, and the West informed Reuters that North Korea dispatched approximately 14,000 soldiers under a mutual defense agreement, with over 6,000 reportedly killed. These casualty figures, however, remain unverified.
Russia openly acknowledges utilizing North Korean forces for mine-clearing operations in the war-stricken Kursk area. (East to West News Agency)
The Russian defense ministry’s channel, Zvezda, reports that this new demining team was “established and dispatched to the Kursk region under orders from Commander-in-Chief Kim Jong Un.” The channel further noted that the North Korean engineers arrived with prior experience from their homeland and subsequently underwent extensive additional training with Russia’s Engineering Troops.
In the released images, Kim Jong Un’s engineers are seen starting each mission by saluting the North Korean flag, which they regard as a demonstration of their willingness “to execute any directive from the Supreme Leader.” The Russian defense ministry asserts that its instructors educated them on handling “the latest NATO and Ukrainian mines” and on drone countermeasures.
Footage released by Moscow shows North Korean sappers using Russian demining equipment in the war-scarred Kursk region (East to West News Agency)
North Korean engineers now reportedly use Russian robotic demining platforms such as the Stalker and Uran-6.
The East to West News Agency reported that the first of thousands of North Korean military engineers have begun clearing explosives in the region, describing the mission as aimed at reducing the risk to Russian personnel. Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, has also said North Korea is deploying 6,000 engineers to Russia.
In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un toast during a reception at the Mongnangwan Reception House in Pyongyang on June 19, 2024. Putin enjoyed a red carpet welcome, a military ceremony and an embrace from North Korea’s Kim Jong Un during a state visit to Pyongyang where they both pledged to forge closer ties. (Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that out of up to 12,000 North Koreans sent to support Russia’s war effort, “their losses are more than 4,000. I think two-thirds have died.” Fox News Digital could not independently confirm casualty figures.
North Korean troops sweeping minefields left behind in the Kursk region after months of fighting. (East to West News Agency)
Russian military outlet Krasnaya Zvezda reported that Russian and North Korean teams are confronting a “previously unseen density” of anti-tank and antipersonnel mines allegedly left by Ukrainian forces, adding that many of the devices were manufactured by NATO members. Reuters could not independently verify battlefield conditions.
According to the outlet, 37 of the 64 settlements in the Bolshesoldatsky district remain closed to civilians because of mines. The report also said the sappers continue to come under Ukrainian artillery and drone fire, which Reuters was also unable to confirm.
Ukrainian forces stormed into the Kursk region in August 2024, holding parts of the area for months. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced in April that Russian troops, supported by North Korean units, had pushed them out.
Russia openly boasts about using North Korean soldiers for demining in its war-hit Kursk region.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said last month that the countries’ military cooperation would “advance non-stop,” Reuters reported.
