North Korean soldiers in Russia: Kim Jong-un’s elite withdraw from the Kursk frontline

Trained and motivated troops suddenly disappear after weeks of fighting

Highly trained and motivated North Korean soldiers have been flanking Russian troops for weeks in the Kursk region, a crucial front in the conflict against Ukraine. However, in the last few hours, these elite forces seem to have suddenly withdrawn, leaving room for Russian soldiers alone.

From the analysis of the bodies, equipment and writings recovered from the Ukrainian soldiers, details about the North Korean mission are emerging. The soldiers sent by Kim Jong-un stand out for their training, ideological rigour and superior discipline compared to the Russian troops, who are often poorly motivated and enlisted out of economic necessity. Equipped with high-quality weapons, such as two AK-12 assault rifles for each soldier, the North Koreans carried first-aid kits, Russian identity documents and materials indicating an unparalleled level of organisation.

Among the items recovered were messages attributed to Kim Jong-un, sent on New Year’s Eve and January 1, in which the North Korean leader expressed gratitude for the sacrifice and commitment of his men, calling them ‘examples of true patriotism’. Some soldiers carried sheets with tactical notes, roughly translated into Russian, and a notebook with verses of patriotic songs, further proof of the strong ideological motivation.

According to Ukrainian sources, some 4,000 North Korean soldiers were killed or wounded in the fighting. The sudden disappearance of these troops could be related to the losses suffered and the need for reorganisation. Two North Korean soldiers, captured alive and transferred to Kiev, could provide further information on this mission never officially confirmed by Moscow or Pyongyang.

The arrival of these troops was also symbolic of a change in relations between Russia and North Korea. According to some analysts, Moscow tried to impress its North Korean allies by offering them the best equipment. However, testimonies from the notes found on the soldiers indicate a certain dissatisfaction with the lack of crucial battlefield information.

The North Korean mission in Kursk remains shrouded in mystery, but its impact on the conflict underlines the growing collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang, and the difficulties for Russia to maintain military superiority on the Ukrainian front.

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