North Korean military officers march during a welcoming ceremony for Russian President Vladimir Putin, on June 19, 2024, in Pyongyang, North Korea. (Contributor/Getty Images)
THE KYIV INDEPENDENT | Published December 15, 2024
North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces in Kursk Oblast killed eight members of a Russian unit in a “friendly fire” attack, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) claimed on Dec. 14.
Earlier in the day, President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that a “significant number” of North Korean troops had joined Russian assault operations in the Kursk region.
While engaged in combat in Kursk Oblast, a group of North Korean soldiers opened fire on members of the Chechen Akhmat unit fighting for Russia, HUR reported via its official Telegram channel. The attack allegedly killed eight Russian soldiers.
The Kyiv Independent was unable to verify the report.
HUR said the incident was the result of the language barrier between Russian and North Korean troops, which continues to be a “difficult obstacle” on the battlefield.
An estimated 200 servicemembers fighting with Russian and North Korean units have been killed as of Dec. 14, HUR claimed.
Zelensky previously announced that North Korean personnel had begun incurring “noticeable losses,” but did not provide a figure.
Ukrainian and Western officials in fall 2024 warned that over 10,000 North Korean troops had amassed in Kursk Oblast, ready to aid Russia’s attempt to oust Ukrainian forces in the region.
The Russian military has instituted special protocols in places where North Korean personnel are located, HUR said. Russian soldiers must undergo inspections before entering these areas, and their phones and electronic devices are confiscated.
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SOURCE: www.kyivindependent.com
RELATED: Russians deployed North Koreans on battlefield and lost friendly Chechen mercenaries in blue on blue incident – Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence
Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) has reported that Russia began using North Korean soldiers in assault operations in Kursk Oblast, particularly as part of combined marine and airborne units, but they opened friendly fire and killed eight Kadyrovites [Kadyrovites is the collective term for Chechen troops loyal to the country’s leader, Ramzan Kadyrov – ed.].
UKRAINSKA PRAVDA | Published December 15, 2024
Details: As the DIU notes, the North Korean troops suffered losses – both killed and wounded – as a result of a successful attack by Ukraine’s defence forces. Specifically, North Korean troops were effectively targeted by FPV (first-person view) drones at one of the positions in Kursk Oblast.
As of 14 December, the estimated losses of the units staffed by Russian and North Korean personnel amounted to about 200 servicemen.
Quote: “In the process of deploying North Korean troops on the battlefield, the language barrier remains a problematic obstacle to command and coordination.
Due to this problem, North Korean soldiers opened friendly fire on the vehicles of the so-called Akhmat battalion. The result was eight dead Kadyrovites.”
Details: The DIU reminded that there are about 11,000 North Korean soldiers on the territory of the Russian Federation.
“In locations where they are deployed, the aggressor has introduced a special counterintelligence regime: to be allowed to enter the areas where North Korean units are located, Russian soldiers and officers are checked by the FSB, their phones and other devices are seized,” the intelligence service said.
Previously: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that there was evidence that North Korean troops were being deployed against Ukrainian forces in Kursk Oblast.
Previously: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that there was evidence that North Korean troops were being deployed against Ukrainian forces in Kursk Oblast.
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SOURCE: www.ukrainska.pravda.com
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