The Ukrainian military has released intercepted communications of North Korean troops detected in Russia’s Kursk, revealing numerous indications of preparations for actual combat.
On the 10th (local time), Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense’s Intelligence Directorate disclosed intercepted communications from the previous day, where clear Korean words like “Wait… LionLionOne, Seal, Reception” could be heard. It is assumed that a man, believed to be a soldier, was calling a colleague and issuing instructions.
The Intelligence Directorate explained that these communications, intercepted in the Kursk region, contained orders for immediate return.
Ukraine and U.S. authorities have assessed that approximately 11,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to support Russia’s war in Ukraine and are currently stationed in Kursk.
Kursk is a region in Russian territory that Ukraine has been carrying out surprise attacks on since August, partially occupying it. It is observed that Russia may attempt to reclaim it by mobilizing North Korean troops, among others.
The dispatched North Korean troops are expected to soon be deployed in full-scale combat operations.
Oleksandr Syrsky, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, stated that there have been many reports indicating that North Korean troops are preparing to participate in combat operations alongside Russian forces.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also mentioned that some North Korean troops have been deployed in combat and have suffered casualties.
Previously, Ukrainian and U.S. authorities confirmed on the 4th of this month that North Korean and Ukrainian forces engaged in a “small-scale” skirmish. On the 7th, a report emerged that the Russian 810th Naval Infantry Brigade, which includes North Korean troops, attacked Ukrainian positions in Kursk.
Kursk, located in southwestern Russia, is an area where Ukraine has seized some territory. The New York Times, citing U.S. government officials, reported on the same day that Russia has mobilized 50,000 troops, including North Korean soldiers, to reclaim Kursk.
It was also projected that some North Korean troops are expected to be deployed for frontal assaults on Ukrainian positions.