Archive · 14 Nov 2025
North Korean Troops Key in Kursk Demining Efforts, Russia States
Imagine a big fight happened in a place called Kursk, in Russia.
After the fight, lots of dangerous landmines were left everywhere, making it unsafe for people to go back home.
Russia says that soldiers from North Korea, who helped Russia during the fight, are now helping to carefully remove all these landmines.
They are being shown how to find different kinds of mines and are learning quickly.
This work is very important and also very dangerous, but Russia is very thankful for their help.
It shows that Russia and North Korea are becoming closer friends and helping each other with military matters.
Some people say many North Korean soldiers were sent to help fight, and some were sadly hurt or lost.
North Korean troops are reportedly playing a significant role in de-mining operations in Russia's Kursk region.
Russia's Defence Ministry stated that North Korean soldiers are clearing mines left by Ukrainian forces after a major incursion.
A mutual defense pact led to North Korea sending approximately 14,000 soldiers to fight alongside Russia, with over 6,000 reportedly killed.
Russian officials expressed gratitude for the North Koreans' 'selfless, heroic assistance' in the dangerous de-mining work.
Video shows North Korean soldiers training in mine detection and handling, working alongside Russian sappers.
- Who
- Russian Defence Ministry and North Korean soldiers
- What
- North Korean troops are playing a key role in de-mining operations in Russia's Kursk region following a Ukrainian incursion.
- When
- The de-mining operations are ongoing; the Ukrainian incursion occurred in August 2024, and North Korean troops were sent last year.
- Where
- Kursk region, Russia
- Why
- To clear mines left by Ukrainian forces after they were pushed out of the region, as part of deepening military ties between Russia and North Korea.
Russian Defence Ministry / Kremlin
Sources mentioned in the article
North Korean Involvement in Kursk
Russian Defence Ministry / Kremlin
North Korean soldiers were sent to fight alongside Russia under a mutual defense pact and are now playing a crucial role in de-mining operations in the Kursk region.
Sources mentioned in the article
South Korean, Ukrainian, and Western sources state that North Korea sent some 14,000 soldiers to fight alongside Russia, with over 6,000 killed.
Nature of the Demining Work
Russian Defence Ministry / Kremlin
North Korean and Russian soldiers are dealing with a high density of mines, many manufactured by NATO countries, and are carrying out dangerous tasks.
Sources mentioned in the article
The Russian report notes that demining sappers were coming under attack by Ukrainian artillery and drones, a claim Reuters could not independently verify.
- Region Affected
- Kursk region, Russia
- North Korean Troop Deployment
- Last year, under a mutual defense pact.
- Number of North Korean Soldiers Deployed (Reported by Sources)
- Approximately 14,000
- Number of North Korean Soldiers Killed (Reported by Sources)
- Over 6,000
- Role of North Korean Troops
- Assisted in repelling Ukrainian incursion and now involved in de-mining.
- Mines Found
- Described as 'unseen density,' many manufactured by NATO countries.
- Areas Still Unsafe for Civilians
- 37 out of 64 settlements in Bolshesoldatsky region of Kursk.