The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) disclosed intercepted radio communications from North Korean troops stationed in Russia’s Kursk region on November 26. An audio file featuring a North Korean voice was shared on X (formerly Twitter), with one soldier urging another to “come out quickly.”
The audio contains a male voice identifying himself with a code name, saying, “I’m getting on the boat and heading forward.” Another male voice responds urgently, “Come out quickly,” to which the first man replies, “Got it.”
The DIU explained, “This is a newly intercepted communication between North Korean troops deployed in Kursk, likely transmitted via radio.” However, the DIU did not specify when the communication was intercepted.
According to Ukrainian and U.S. authorities, approximately 11,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia to support its war efforts in Ukraine, with many stationed in the Kursk region.
Local Ukrainian media previously reported on November 24 that some North Korean troops in Kursk had engaged in combat with Ukrainian forces.
In a related report, the U.S.-based military outlet Global Defense Corporation claimed on November 20 that a Ukrainian Storm Shadow cruise missile strike in Kursk resulted in the deaths of 500 North Korean troops. However, the outlet did not provide supporting evidence or specify its sources, and the U.S. Department of Defense stated it could not confirm the report.
Meanwhile, the Russian independent investigative outlet Agenstvo reported on the same day that Russian forces were advancing at their fastest pace since the war began in February 2022.
According to Agenstvo, Russian troops captured approximately 235 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory over the past week, marking the largest weekly territorial gain this year. The total area occupied by Russia in November so far—600 square kilometers—is comparable to the size of Seoul. Alongside territorial expansion, Russian forces have intensified airstrikes targeting Ukraine’s critical infrastructure.
BY JAESUNG BAE, YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
