Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) claimed that North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces in Kursk Oblast accidentally killed eight Russian soldiers in a “friendly fire” incident.
The HUR reported via its official Telegram channel that the North Korean troops, engaged in combat operations, mistakenly opened fire on members of the Chechen Akhmat unit—a force loyal to Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Russia’s Chechnya region.
The bodies of Russian and North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region. pic.twitter.com/oqxwF20qqt
— Boris Alexander Beissner (@boris_beissner) December 15, 2024
Ukrainian intelligence attributed the incident to a “language barrier” between Russian and North Korean forces, which has created significant obstacles on the battlefield. According to Ukrainian officials, communication difficulties are an ongoing issue where foreign troops are involved.
New footage reportedly (we can’t confirm) showing North Korean soldiers participating in “meat grinder” assaults in Kursk region.
Ukrainian Army report:
“The long-awaited Koreans. Their tactics are a mix of weakness and bravery… They don’t rely on drones and carry weapons as… pic.twitter.com/Os8paabiQb
— Clash Report (@clashreport) December 15, 2024
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that North Korean troops were suffering “noticeable losses” as part of Russia’s attempts to repel Ukrainian advances. However, Zelensky did not provide specific figures.
The involvement of North Korean troops in Russia’s military operations has been increasingly reported in recent months. While North Korean personnel have been concentrated in Kursk Oblast thus far, Zelensky cautioned that their deployment could extend to other parts of the frontline.
Direct clashes between North Korean and Ukrainian troops in Kursk Oblast were first reported in early November.
