North Korean troops clear Russian Kursk region as part of cooperation

New images released by the Russian Defense Ministry show North Korean troops clearing mines in the war-ravaged Kursk region of western Russia, the latest sign of deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang.

North Korean soldiers are seen handling detection equipment, receiving instructions from Russian engineers and singing patriotic songs before beginning their work. A Russian commander with the call sign “Veles” said: “They are great guys, they learn quickly, listen carefully and take notes.” Another commander, “Lesnik,” said the North Koreans were operating “on an equal footing with my sappers, performing the same tasks as my men.”

According to ReutersRussia says the North Korean deployment follows fighting last year that helped repel a major Ukrainian incursion into the western Kursk region. South Korean, Ukrainian and Western sources told Reuters that North Korea had sent about 14,000 troops as part of a mutual defense deal and that more than 6,000 had been killed. The number of battlefield casualties could not be independently verified.

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Russia openly boasts of using North Korean soldiers to clear mines in its war-stricken Kursk region. (East-West News Agency)

The Russian Defense Ministry’s Zvezda channel claims that the new demining unit was “created and sent to the Kursk region on the orders of Commander-in-Chief Kim Jong Un.” The channel said North Korean engineers “arrived in the Kursk region already experienced in carrying out missions in their home country” and then “received extensive additional training from the engineering troops of the Russian Armed Forces.”

In images released by the Russian Defense Ministry, Kim Jong Un’s engineers begin each operation by worshiping the North Korean flag, describing it as a sign of their willingness “to carry out any order of the Supreme Leader.” The Russian Defense Ministry says Russian instructors taught them how to handle “the latest NATO and Ukrainian mines” and counter drones.

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Footage released by Moscow shows North Korean sappers using Russian mine-clearing equipment in the war-scarred Kursk region. (East-West News Agency)

North Korean engineers are now reportedly using Russian robotic mine-clearing 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 began clearing explosives in the region, describing the mission as aimed at reducing risks to Russian personnel. Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, also said North Korea was deploying 6,000 engineers to Russia.

In this pool photo distributed by 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 June 19, 2024. Putin enjoyed a red carpet welcome, a military ceremony and a hug from North Korea’s Kim Jong Un during a state visit to Pyongyang where they both committed to building closer ties. (Getty Images)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that of the 12,000 North Koreans sent to support the Russian war effort, “their losses amounted to more than 4,000. I think two-thirds died.” Fox News Digital could not independently confirm the number of casualties.

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North Korean troops sweep abandoned minefields in the Kursk region after months of fighting. (East-West News Agency)

Russian military newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda reported that Russian and North Korean teams are facing an “unprecedented density” of anti-tank and anti-personnel mines allegedly left by Ukrainian forces, adding that many of the devices were made by NATO members. Reuters could not independently verify battlefield conditions.

According to the media outlet, 37 of 64 settlements in the Bolshesoldatsky district remain closed to civilians due to mines. The report also said the sappers continued to come under fire from Ukrainian artillery and drones, which Reuters was also unable to confirm.

Ukrainian forces stormed into the Kursk region in August 2024, occupying parts of the area for months. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced in April that Russian troops, supported by North Korean units, had driven them out.

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Russia openly boasts of using North Korean soldiers to clear mines in its war-stricken Kursk region.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said last month that military cooperation between the two countries would “continually advance,” Reuters reported.

Reuters contributed to this report.