Russian forces are reportedly training North Korean soldiers stationed in Russia’s Kursk region on combat drones.
Learning to Operate FPV Drones
Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, shared this information on Telegram.
He stated that North Korean soldiers are learning to operate FPV (first-person view) and reconnaissance drones, along with Lancet combat drones, according to Hotnews.
The training is part of their integration into Russian military units, preparing them for possible deployment in Ukraine.
According to Kovalenko, Russian instructors are preparing these North Korean troops for active combat roles.
The soldiers, dressed in Russian military uniforms, are reportedly stationed alongside Russian units in Kursk, which borders Ukraine. There are also plans to send Russian UAV instructors to North Korea for further training.
Confirmed Presence of Around 8,000 Soldiers
Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed the presence of around 8,000 North Korean soldiers in Russia’s Kursk region. He warned that Moscow seems ready to send them into combat “in the coming days.”
Blinken also noted that North Korea has deployed roughly 10,000 troops to Russia, most of whom were initially stationed at training bases in Russia’s Far East before being moved to Kursk.
Kovalenko added that some North Korean soldiers in Kursk have already come under attack from Ukrainian forces. However, he did not provide further details on the clashes or any potential casualties among the North Korean forces.
Ukrainian officials recently claimed that Russia is preparing to send up to 12,000 North Korean soldiers, including special forces, into combat zones in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also asserted that Moscow has confirmed Pyongyang’s involvement to Western leaders, suggesting North Korea’s support for Russia’s war efforts is becoming more overt.
