A missile strike on a Russian military training ground near occupied Donetsk has resulted in the deaths of over 20 military personnel, including six North Korean officers, according to sources in Ukrainian military intelligence speaking to Interfax-Ukraine and Kyiv Post.
North Korea supplies Russia with ammunition, particularly artillery shells and rockets, to support Russia’s war in Ukraine. Russia used North Korean missiles for strikes on Ukrainian civilians. Both countries face harsh sanctions from the Western powers and cooperate to circumvent the Western influence.
The incident, which also left three North Korean soldiers wounded, occurred during what appears to have been a military knowledge exchange between Russian and North Korean forces, according to Interfax-Ukraine and Kyiv Post.
Russian Telegram channels reported that the North Korean officers were visiting “as part of an exchange of experience.”
A source quoted by Russian media stated, “We were showing our friendly military how our fighters prepare for assault actions, for defense, how we resist American weapons.”
This event aligns with earlier reports from Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) about the presence of North Korean military personnel in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories. The HUR had previously noted the arrival of North Korean engineering troops, suggesting ongoing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.
The Center for National Resistance has also reported on Russia’s plans to bring North Korean citizens to occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk for construction work. This information, combined with the recent military exchange, indicates a deepening relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang amid the war in Ukraine.
The three wounded North Korean officers have reportedly been transferred to Moscow for medical treatment.
In 2023, Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited North Korea, attending military parades that showcased advanced weapons, which was seen as a sign of strengthening military ties.
Related:
- North Korea’s arms shipments to Russia surge, intelligence report reveals
- The NYT: North Korea defies Western sanctions, continues supplying Russia with short-range ballistic missiles
- Blinken: US must halt Russia’s military cooperation with Iran, North Korea, and China
- Yonhap: South Korea’s arms supply for Ukraine is legal, unlike North Korea’s aid to Russia, says Stoltenberg
