Camilla Jessen
Russia trains North Korean troops with modern weapons.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense has released new video footage showing North Korean soldiers training with modern Russian weapons and learning how to fight against drones.
The video is the latest sign of growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea during the war in Ukraine.
The 77-second clip, published by Russian state media outlet TASS, shows North Korean troops practicing shooting drills, learning to throw grenades, and clearing trenches.
Business Insider reported that the footage includes a range of weapons now used by Russian forces in Ukraine.
North Korean Soldiers Seen Using Modern Russian Weapons
In the video, some North Korean soldiers are carrying AK-12 rifles—Russia’s newest assault rifle, introduced in 2020.
The rifles are fitted with accessories like reflex sights and foregrips. Normally, North Korean troops use older guns like the Type-88, a local version of the Soviet AK-74.
The soldiers also use other weapons, including the SVD sniper rifle (also known as the Dragunov), the PK machine gun, and the RPG-7, a rocket launcher that fires explosive rounds.
These weapons match a list shared by Ukrainian intelligence last year, which claimed Russia was sending this gear to North Korean forces.
Another scene shows a soldier firing a 12-gauge Vepr-12 shotgun with an extended choke, a tool that helps aim better at flying drones. Both Russian and Ukrainian troops often use shotguns to shoot down drones at close range.
According to TASS, the North Korean troops in the video are part of a unit deployed near the Russian city of Kursk. However, Business Insider said it could not confirm that claim.
North Korea’s Involvement Raises Worries
This footage comes shortly after Russia and North Korea officially admitted that North Korean troops have been sent to fight in Ukraine.
This public confirmation follows months of growing evidence.
The announcement has raised concerns in Western countries and in South Korea, where officials fear that North Korea could gain valuable combat experience and learn how to use advanced weapons and drones.
Reports from the front lines earlier this year suggested that many North Korean troops were poorly trained and unfamiliar with drone attacks, leading to heavy losses.
But more recent information shows they may be learning quickly. Ukrainian forces say they found a hand-drawn guide from a captured North Korean soldier, showing how to take down a drone with the help of a teammate.
On the battlefield, North Korean troops are reportedly used in direct infantry attacks, often without armored vehicles.
Ukrainian soldiers say these fighters are extremely reluctant to surrender—and in some cases have tried to take their own lives rather than be captured.
The partnership between Russia and North Korea is becoming stronger, and it’s worrying many of Russia’s opponents. This week, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said that North Korea’s involvement is helping Russia continue its war in Ukraine.
“They bear responsibility,” the spokesperson said.