North Korean Troops Assisting in Russian Demining Efforts
Recently revealed images from Russia’s defense ministry show North Korean soldiers engaged in mine-clearing operations in the troubled Kursk region of western Russia. This highlights the growing military partnership between North Korea and Russia.
The footage displays North Korean troops using detection gear, following instructions from Russian engineers, and even singing patriotic songs before starting their tasks. A Russian commander, known as “Veles,” praised the North Korean soldiers, saying, “They’re quick learners, attentive, and take notes.” Another commander, “Lesnik,” noted that they were working on the same level as Russian sappers.
According to reports, this deployment follows the intense fighting in the Kursk region last year, which was significant in repelling a major Ukrainian advance. South Korean and Ukrainian military sources estimate that around 14,000 North Korean troops were sent to Russia under a mutual defense agreement, with claims that over 6,000 have died, although these figures remain unverified.
The Russian defense channel Zvezda confirms that this demining unit was dispatched by an order from Kim Jong Un. It states that North Korean engineers, already experienced in demining from their homeland, received further specialized training from Russian forces.
Images depict North Korean teams beginning their operations by honoring their flag, symbolizing their readiness to execute orders. Russian instructors reportedly trained them to handle a range of mines and counter drone threats. North Korean engineers now reportedly use advanced robotic demining equipment, including models like the Stalker and Uran-6.
Ukrainian military leaders have reported that North Korea is sending about 6,000 engineers to Russia, as the situation in Kursk becomes increasingly complex. Russian and North Korean teams are allegedly facing a previously unseen concentration of landmines believed to be left behind by Ukrainian forces.
As fighting resumed in August 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russian forces, along with North Korean units, managed to push Ukrainian troops out of parts of Kursk.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has expressed that the military collaboration between North Korea and Russia will continue to strengthen in the future.
