North Korean Soldiers That Tried to Flee Positions in Kursk Are Now Being Sent for Assaults Against Ukraine

18 North Korean soldiers tried to escape from Russian positions in Kursk region but were captured and are now expected to be deployed in assaults against the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Ukrainain outlet RBC reports, citing Ukraine’s special services sources on Octrober 21.

The North Korean troops were caught by Russian forces in Bryansk region’s Komarichsky district after fleeing from a wooded area near Kolyachki in Kursk Oblast, where they had been stationed.

Initially, around 40 North Korean military instructors had been training alongside Russian troops in this area, which also included about 50 Russian soldiers.

The North Koreans were reportedly instructing Russian forces on the use of high-altitude balloons for military purposes, while the Russians were teaching the North Koreans modern infantry combat tactics based on experience from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

After completing the training, the North Korean soldiers were left in the forest without food or orders regarding their next steps.

On October 14, some of the troops decided to leave their positions in search of Russian command.

Within two days, on October 16, the fleeing soldiers were located and detained roughly 60 kilometers from where they had attempted to escape.

All 40 North Korean soldiers stationed in Kursk Oblast have now been relocated to the Lgovsky district, where they are expected to take part in assault operations, NV sources revealed.

Earlier, South Korean intelligence identified a North Korean missile engineer who allegedly participated in the launch of ballistic missiles targeting Ukraine.