Amid ongoing reports of casualties among North Korean troops deployed in Ukraine, a tragic incident involving friendly fire that killed Russian soldiers has surfaced. According to a report by Radio Free Asia (RFA) on December 31, the incident highlights growing tensions and operational challenges in the conflict.
The pro-Russian Telegram channel Kremlin Wind reported on December 29 that the accident occurred during a North Korean assault on a Ukrainian position. During their retreat in the Kursk region, North Korean forces reportedly misfired, resulting in the deaths of three Russian soldiers.
The international pro-Ukraine organization InformNapalm echoed these claims on December 30, stating that such fire incidents between North Korean and Russian forces are becoming frequent. The group suggested that discord between the two allied forces is contributing to increased casualties on the frontlines.
In a related development, Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces (SSO) 6th Special Operations Brigade announced on Telegram on December 31 that they had recaptured a village in the Russian-occupied Kursk region. They claimed that both Russian and North Korean forces had been stationed there and were eliminated during the operation.
Accompanying video footage reportedly showed red tape on the bodies of deceased soldiers believed to be North Korean. The RFA noted that Ukraine’s intelligence agency had previously revealed that North Korean troops use red armbands for identification purposes.
BY EUNBIN KIM, YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
