Eight Russian paramilitary soldiers were reportedly killed by North Korean troops due to a language barrier in a recent friendly fire incident, according to a statement from the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) released on Saturday.
The incident took place in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, where North Korean soldiers have been deployed to support Russian forces.
Ukrainian officials estimate that around 11,000 North Korean personnel are currently stationed in Russia.
The DIU reported that North Korean troops were working alongside Russian marines and airborne units in assault operations.
However, miscommunication between the forces led to a tragic mistake: the North Korean soldiers mistakenly opened fire on the vehicles of the Akhmat special forces unit, a Chechen paramilitary group. The incident resulted in the deaths of eight Kadyrovite soldiers.
The DIU statement highlighted the ongoing challenge of coordinating battlefield actions due to the language barrier between Russian and North Korean troops.
North Korean personnel have been assisting Russia in occupied regions like Kursk Oblast, which borders northeastern Ukraine. Their involvement underscores Russia’s reliance on foreign military support as the war continues.
Meanwhile, Russian forces have escalated their assault on Ukraine’s power infrastructure, firing nearly 100 missiles and 200 drones in a massive attack on Friday, according to the Kyiv Independent.
The strikes aim to cripple Ukraine’s energy grid as the country faces harsh winter conditions.
