North Korean Troops Aid Russia in Clearing Mines in Kursk Region

North Korean troops deployed to support Russia in the western Kursk region are now taking on a crucial role in large-scale de-mining operations, according to a statement from the Russian Defence Ministry. Their involvement follows months of intense fighting after Ukrainian forces launched a major cross-border offensive in August 2024, seizing significant pockets of territory before being pushed back earlier this year.

Under a mutual defence pact, North Korea sent an estimated 14,000 soldiers to assist Russia, with reports from South Korean, Ukrainian, and Western sources suggesting that more than 6,000 North Korean troops were killed during the fighting. Despite these heavy losses, both Moscow and Pyongyang appear committed to deepening military cooperation, a relationship North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently vowed would continue to “advance non-stop.”

Newly released video footage from the Russian Defence Ministry shows North Korean soldiers undergoing specialized training, learning to identify various types of mines and operate mine-detection equipment. They were also seen participating in field exercises and singing patriotic songs alongside Russian troops.

Russian commanders praised the North Korean forces, describing them as quick learners who integrate effectively with local sappers. One commander, identified as “Veles,” said the troops were disciplined and eager to absorb technical instructions. Another officer, “Lesnik,” noted that they were performing the same dangerous tasks as Russian engineers.

According to Russian military outlet Krasnaya Zvezda, the mine density left behind by retreating Ukrainian units in the Bolshesoldatsky district is unprecedented. Out of 64 settlements, 37 remain off-limits to civilians due to widespread mine contamination. Many of the devices, the report claimed, were produced by NATO countries. The de-mining teams continue to face Ukrainian artillery fire and drone attacks as they work, though these details could not be independently verified.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed strong appreciation for Pyongyang’s contribution, calling it “selfless” and “heroic,” and emphasizing that Russia “will never forget this help.”