Russia announced on Friday that North Korean soldiers deployed in its western Kursk region are now heavily involved in clearing extensive minefields left behind after months of intense fighting with Ukrainian forces. The operation follows Pyongyang’s substantial military contribution to Russia’s defense of the region under a mutual security agreement that has tightened cooperation between the two isolated states.
According to the Russian Defence Ministry, North Korean personnel are working alongside Russian engineering units to remove anti-tank and anti-personnel mines across large sections of the border region. Moscow said the task has been complicated by the density of explosive devices laid by Ukrainian troops, describing it as unprecedented.
Pyongyang’s Combat Losses Highlight Scale of Deployment
South Korean, Ukrainian, and Western intelligence estimates indicate that North Korea sent roughly 14,000 soldiers to aid Moscow following a Ukrainian cross-border push into the Kursk region in August 2024. Those forces reportedly suffered more than 6,000 fatalities during the months-long campaign—figures Russia has not confirmed but has not publicly disputed.
Ukraine’s incursion, one of its most ambitious since the start of the war, saw its forces seize and hold stretches of Russian territory before being expelled earlier this year. President Vladimir Putin said in April that the retaking of the area was achieved partly through North Korea’s military support.
Russia and North Korea Signal Expanding Strategic Alignment
The continued deployment of North Korean troops for post-conflict clearance work underscores the growing military relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said last month that bilateral defence cooperation would continue to “advance non-stop,” following a year marked by arms transfers, battlefield coordination, and reciprocal diplomatic gestures.
Moscow has highlighted the professionalism of the North Korean units. Russian military commanders—identified by their call signs “Veles” and “Lesnik”—praised the visiting sappers, saying they perform on par with Russian engineers and quickly adapt to new equipment and procedures.
Minefields Render Dozens of Villages Unsafe
Russian military outlet Krasnaya Zvezda reported that nearly 60% of settlements in the Bolshesoldatsky district of Kursk remain closed to civilians due to the scale of unexploded ordnance. The publication claimed that many of the mines recovered were produced by NATO member states, a claim that Reuters could not independently verify.
The report added that de-mining teams regularly come under Ukrainian artillery fire and drone attacks, complicating an already dangerous mission.
Kremlin Expresses Public Thanks to Pyongyang
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia remains “deeply grateful” for North Korea’s assistance, describing the contribution as both “selfless” and “heroic.” He emphasized that the work is ongoing and that Moscow views Pyongyang’s role as an important part of stabilizing the border region.
“We will never forget this help,” Peskov said. “Our Korean friends are performing difficult and dangerous tasks, and we value their contribution.”
Source:Africa Publicity
