North Korean Troops Reportedly Kill Russian Soldiers in “Friendly Fire” Incident

Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) has claimed that North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces in Kursk Oblast were involved in a “friendly fire” incident, resulting in the deaths of eight Russian soldiers.

The HUR reported the incident on its official Telegram channel. The report stated that a group of North Korean soldiers opened fire on members of the Chechen Akhmat unit, which is also fighting for Russia, during combat operations in Kursk Oblast.

Earlier on 14th December, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that a “significant number” of North Korean troops had joined Russian assault operations in the Kursk region. This earlier statement provided context for the HUR’s subsequent report.

The Kyiv Independent has stated it was unable to independently verify the HUR’s report of the friendly fire incident. This highlights the challenges of confirming information from active conflict zones.

The HUR attributed the incident to the language barrier between Russian and North Korean troops, stating that this communication issue continues to be a “difficult obstacle” on the battlefield. The language barrier is presented as a contributing factor to the alleged friendly fire incident.

The HUR also claimed that approximately 200 service members fighting within Russian and North Korean units have been killed as of 14th December. This figure encompasses both Russian and North Korean casualties.

President Zelenskyy had previously announced that North Korean personnel had begun incurring “noticeable losses” in the conflict, although he did not provide specific figures at that time. This previous statement aligns with the HUR’s later report of casualties.

In autumn 2024, Ukrainian and Western officials issued warnings that over 10,000 North Korean troops had amassed in Kursk Oblast, reportedly in preparation to assist Russia’s efforts to dislodge Ukrainian forces from the region. This earlier intelligence provided a context for the subsequent deployment and reported incidents.

The HUR further reported that the Russian military has implemented special protocols in areas where North Korean personnel are stationed. These protocols include mandatory inspections of Russian soldiers before entering these areas, as well as the confiscation of their phones and electronic devices. This suggests a level of distrust or concern regarding communication and potential security breaches.

The first direct clashes between North Korean and Ukrainian troops in Kursk Oblast were reported in early November. According to President Zelenskyy, North Korean personnel have not been deployed to other areas of the front, but he indicated this situation could change in the future.