In a striking display of military collaboration, Russia’s defense ministry has unveiled images showing North Korean troops engaged in mine-clearing operations in the war-stricken Kursk region of western Russia. This development underscores the growing military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang.

The images portray North Korean soldiers equipped with mine detection gear, receiving guidance from Russian engineers, and even singing patriotic tunes before commencing their tasks. A Russian commander, identified by the call sign “Veles,” praised the North Korean troops, stating, “They’re great lads, they learn quickly, listen attentively and take notes.” Another commander, “Lesnik,” noted that the North Koreans were working “on an equal level with my sappers, carrying out the same tasks as my guys.”

As reported by Reuters, this deployment of North Korean forces to Russia comes in the aftermath of significant conflict in the Kursk region last year, during which Russian forces repelled a major Ukrainian incursion. Sources from South Korea, Ukraine, and Western nations suggest that North Korea dispatched approximately 14,000 troops as part of a mutual defense agreement, with over 6,000 reported casualties. However, these figures have not been independently verified.

Russia has been vocal about utilizing North Korean soldiers for demining operations in the Kursk region, ravaged by war. The East to West News Agency highlights this significant collaboration.

According to the Russian defense ministry’s channel, Zvezda, the newly formed demining unit was “created and sent to the Kursk region by order of Commander-in-Chief Kim Jong Un.” The channel further elaborated that these North Korean engineers arrived with prior experience from missions in their homeland and subsequently received comprehensive training from the Engineering Troops of the Russian Armed Forces.

In the images released by the Russian defense ministry, Kim Jong Un’s sappers begin 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 Russian instructors taught them to handle “the latest NATO and Ukrainian mines” and to counter drones. 

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.