The GUR confirmed the first losses of soldiers from North Korea in Kursk due to 'friendly fire' on Kadyrov's forces.


The Ukrainian intelligence reported that soldiers from North Korea participated in combat alongside Ukrainian forces.
According to intelligence, Russia is using North Korean soldiers in complex operations in Kursk, particularly in the naval infantry and airborne troops.
Ukrainian security and defense forces inflicted several losses on foreign military personnel. FPV drones successfully attacked North Korean positions in the Kursk region. Preliminary estimates suggest that the total number of losses for Russian-North Korean forces exceeds 200.
A serious problem during the combat operations was the language barrier between Russian and North Korean military personnel.
Due to communication issues, a friendly fire incident occurred, resulting in eight soldiers of the 'Akhmat' battalion being killed by their allies.
It is reported that there are about 11,000 North Korean soldiers in the Russian Federation.
The Russian command has established a special counterintelligence regime at their deployment locations, with FSB agents inspecting Russian soldiers and officers, confiscating their phones and other electronic devices.
Recall that Ukrainian intelligence warned about new plans of the occupants, which involve the use of North Korean soldiers for an assault.
Read also
- Ukraine prepares for provocations during Russian-Belarusian exercises
- Over 2300 medical facilities damaged or destroyed due to the war - Ministry of Health
- Recruiting at 'Reserv+'': which service directions are the most popular
- Russia has modernized at least five nuclear weapons bases near the borders of the EU
- China's nuclear arsenal is growing the fastest in the world - study
- Enemy losses as of June 17, 2025 – General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine