Listen to the article
North Korean Troops Clear Mines in Russia’s Kursk Region as Military Cooperation Deepens
New images released by Russia’s defense ministry show North Korean troops clearing mines in the war-ravaged Kursk region in western Russia, highlighting the expanding military partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang.
The footage depicts North Korean soldiers handling detection equipment, receiving instructions from Russian engineers, and singing patriotic songs before beginning their demining operations. Russian commanders speak highly of their North Korean counterparts, with one using the call sign “Veles” stating, “They’re great lads, they learn quickly, listen attentively and take notes.” Another commander, identified as “Lesnik,” added that the North Koreans were operating “on an equal level with my sappers, carrying out the same tasks as my guys.”
According to Reuters, Russia claims the North Korean deployment follows intense fighting in the region that helped repel a major Ukrainian incursion last year. South Korean, Ukrainian, and Western sources reported that North Korea sent approximately 14,000 troops under a mutual defense pact, with more than 6,000 reportedly killed, though these battlefield casualty figures cannot be independently verified.
The Russian defense ministry channel Zvezda claims that the new demining unit was “created and sent to the Kursk region by order of Commander-in-Chief Kim Jong Un.” The channel noted that North Korean engineers “arrived in the Kursk region already experienced in carrying out missions in their homeland” before receiving “extensive additional training by the Engineering Troops of the Russian Armed Forces.”
In a display of loyalty characteristic of North Korean military culture, the footage shows Kim Jong Un’s sappers beginning each operation by venerating the North Korean flag, describing it as a sign of their readiness “to carry out any order from the Supreme Leader.” The Russian defense ministry claims their instructors taught the North Korean troops to handle “the latest NATO and Ukrainian mines” and to counter drones.
Russian military technology features prominently in the demining effort, with North Korean engineers reportedly using Russian robotic demining platforms such as the Stalker and Uran-6. The East to West News Agency reports that the first contingent of thousands of North Korean military engineers have begun clearing explosives in the region, with the stated aim of reducing the risk to Russian personnel.
Ukrainian military intelligence provides a different perspective on the deployment, with Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov stating that North Korea is deploying 6,000 engineers to Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made more dramatic claims about casualty figures, stating 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.” These figures cannot be independently confirmed.
The Russian military outlet Krasnaya Zvezda reported challenging conditions for the demining teams, claiming they face a “previously unseen density” of anti-tank and antipersonnel mines allegedly left by Ukrainian forces, with many devices manufactured by NATO members. The outlet also stated that 37 of the 64 settlements in the Bolshesoldatsky district remain closed to civilians due to mines, and that sappers continue to work under Ukrainian artillery and drone fire. Reuters noted it could not independently verify these battlefield conditions.
The context for these operations dates back to August 2024, when Ukrainian forces launched an incursion into the Kursk region and held parts of the area for months. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced in April that Russian troops, with North Korean support, had successfully pushed Ukrainian forces out of the region.
This military cooperation comes amid warming relations between Moscow and Pyongyang. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said last month that the countries’ military cooperation would “advance non-stop,” signaling a long-term strategic alignment between the two nations in defiance of international sanctions and Western condemnation.
The presence of North Korean troops on Russian soil represents a significant escalation in the internationalization of the Ukraine conflict, bringing a traditionally isolated nation directly into European security dynamics and reinforcing the growing military and diplomatic partnership between Russia and North Korea.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
12 Comments
From a military perspective, I can understand why Russia would want to utilize North Korean troops for this dangerous mine-clearing work. However, the broader political and strategic implications are quite concerning. This just seems to deepen the ties between these two authoritarian regimes.
Absolutely. This development highlights how Russia is willing to turn to pariah states like North Korea as it struggles to maintain its military capabilities in Ukraine. It’s a worrying sign of Russia’s isolation.
This is an intriguing development, though not entirely surprising given the deepening ties between Russia and North Korea. It will be interesting to see how effective the North Korean troops are at clearing these minefields, and what the broader strategic implications of this cooperation might be.
You raise a good point. While the technical expertise of the North Korean troops may be valuable, the wider political and strategic ramifications of this partnership are quite concerning. It’s a sign of Russia’s isolation and desperation as the war in Ukraine continues.
Interesting that North Korean troops are being deployed to Russia to clear minefields. This highlights the deepening military ties between the two countries, even as they face international sanctions and isolation. I wonder how effective the North Korean soldiers will be in this dangerous work.
Yes, it’s a concerning development that these two isolated regimes are cooperating militarily. The Russian commanders seem to have a positive view of the North Korean troops, which is worrying.
While the technical capabilities of the North Korean troops may be useful for Russia, I can’t help but feel uneasy about the wider implications of this military cooperation. It’s a concerning sign of how Russia is willing to align itself with other rogue actors as the war in Ukraine drags on.
I agree, this is a troubling development. It shows how desperate Russia has become to bolster its forces, even if it means relying on the support of a pariah state like North Korea.
This is a concerning development that highlights the growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. While the North Korean troops may possess valuable expertise in mine clearance, the broader implications of this partnership are worrying. It’s a sign of how isolated Russia has become on the global stage.
Absolutely. This partnership is a concerning indication of Russia’s willingness to align itself with other rogue actors as it struggles to maintain its military capabilities in Ukraine. It’s a troubling development that deserves close attention.
This is a concerning development, as it further strengthens the military alliance between Russia and North Korea. I hope the North Korean troops are able to clear the minefields safely and effectively, but I worry about the broader implications of this cooperation.
I agree, this is a troubling sign of Russia’s desperation as the war in Ukraine drags on. Partnering with North Korea shows how isolated Russia has become on the global stage.