Dozens of North Korean Bodies Found in Russia’s Kursk Region, Ukrainian Forces Claim

Reports have emerged from international media outlets that dozens of photos and videos showing North Korean soldiers killed in action against Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk region have been released.

According to a report by Ukrainska Pravda from Sunday, the Ukrainian military’s 414th Assault Drone Regiment, known as the “Birds of Madyar,” shared photos and videos on their Telegram channel depicting dozens of bodies laid out in a row.

The channel asserted that among the numerous casualties visible in the footage, a significant number were North Korean soldiers alongside Russian troops.

Ukrainian military analyst Yuriy Butusov also stated on social media that footage obtained by the Ukrainian command shows the bodies of dozens of North Korean soldiers. He added that it’s currently unknown if any soldiers were captured alive.

It is difficult to identify the dead as North Korean soldiers based on these images and videos due to the poor quality of the released media and the snow, which partially covers the bodies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had stated in his regular address that Russia has begun deploying a “considerable number” of North Korean troops in an attempt to push Ukrainian forces out of the Kursk region.

Zelenskyy claimed that Russia is integrating North Korean soldiers into its units and deploying them for operations, specifically in Kursk.

Ukrainian and U.S. intelligence sources estimate that approximately 11,000 North Korean troops have been sent to support Russia’s war effort in Ukraine, with current intelligence suggesting they are stationed in the Kursk area.

Kursk, located in southwestern Russia, is a border region where Ukrainian forces launched an offensive on August 6, capturing some territory and engaging in ongoing combat with Russian troops.