North Korea admits troops hunted mines for Vladimir Putin, with several returning injured, dead: ‘Absolute loyalty’
North Korea deployed troops to clear mines in Russia’s Kursk region this fall, resulting in the deaths of nine soldiers during the hazardous operation, leader Kim Jong Un said Saturday in a speech carried by state media.
In a rare acknowledgment of the deadly missions assigned to Pyongyang’s forces fighting alongside Moscow in Ukraine, Kim praised their “heroic” efforts. He highlighted the soldiers’ “absolute loyalty” to the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea and commended their discipline, unity, and political indoctrination. “All of you, both officers and soldiers, displayed mass heroism overcoming unimaginable mental and physical burdens almost every day,” Kim said.
The nine soldiers died while clearing mines during a 120-day deployment that began in early August. Kursk, a Russian border region, had been briefly captured by Ukrainian forces last year before Russian troops regained control this spring.
Pyongyang released video showing soldiers returning home Friday from their Russian mission, including several injured troops. Kim was seen embracing a soldier in a wheelchair.
According to Russian officials, North Korean forces destroyed over 1.5 million explosive devices across an area roughly the size of 80 American football fields. Alexander Khinshtein, governor of Kursk, called the operation “invaluable” for rebuilding the region and referred to the North Korean troops as “our combat friends” and Kim as “comrade.”
North Korea and Russia have strengthened ties since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Pyongyang has sent more than 12,000 troops to support Moscow on the front lines. Analysts say Russia has provided North Korea with financial aid, military technology, and food and energy supplies in return.
About Post Author
