According to Ukrainian intelligence, friendly fire from North Korean troops resulted in the accidental deaths of Russian paramilitary soldiers.
A Saturday statement from the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) revealed that North Korean (DPRK) soldiers are assisting Russian forces in the Ukrainian-occupied Kursk Oblast. Ukrainian officials estimate approximately 11,000 DPRK personnel are deployed in Russia.
The statement reported that Russia is employing DPRK soldiers in offensive operations in the Kursk region, integrated into combined units alongside Russian marines and airborne troops.
The DIU further stated that North Korean troops have suffered significant casualties from successful Ukrainian Security and Defense Forces attacks, including a targeted strike by FPV drones in the Kursk region.
The DIU highlighted a recent incident where a language barrier between Russian and North Korean soldiers led to the deaths of eight soldiers from the Akhmat special forces unit, a Chechen paramilitary group.
The statement explained that communication difficulties hampered coordination, resulting in North Korean troops firing on Akhmat battalion vehicles, killing eight soldiers.
This incident occurred as the Russian military exploited freezing conditions to launch a major attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
On Friday, Russian forces conducted a large-scale assault on Ukraine’s power grid, launching nearly 100 missiles, including cruise missiles, and 200 drones across Western Ukraine.
Digital’s Caitlin McFall contributed to this report.