Russian State Media Releases First Video Evidence of North Korean Troops in Russian Ranks

North Korean troops, previously reported to be assisting Russian forces in Kursk region, were seen in newly released footage published by Russian state news agency TASS on April 28.

The video, which is the first official acknowledgment of North Korean soldiers' involvement in the war against Ukriane, shows them conducting combat training exercises in Russian military gear. The footage comes amid reports of Russian efforts to regain control of territories captured during a surprise Ukrainian offensive in 2024.

The soldiers, dressed in full Russian military gear and armed with rifles and rocket-propelled grenade launchers, can be seen undergoing training exercises. A Russian instructor is shown demonstrating how to deploy a hand grenade, while the video ends with the troops marching in formation and singing a military song. TASS did not specify the exact location or date of the footage.

North Korean forces were deployed to Kursk region following a Ukrainian surprise offensive in August 2024, which aimed to disrupt Russian plans for an offensive in Sumy region and divert attention from Donetsk region.

On April 26, Russian officials, including spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, declared that Russian forces had fully regained control of the Kursk region. However, Ukraine has disputed this claim, maintaining that fighting in the area continues.

Earlier, North Korea officially confirmed it’s presence within Russian ranks, while Russia stated that it is prepared to provide military assistance to North Korea under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

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