"Damn Chinese"... Russian Troops Dissatisfied with North Korean Troop Deployment

Contemptuous References and Ignoring North Korean Troops... 'Discord'

Amid speculation that the deployment of North Korean troops dispatched to Russia for combat is imminent, signs have emerged that Russian soldiers are expressing dissatisfaction with the North Korean forces.

On the 19th (local time), the Strategic Communications Center under the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture and Information stated, "We have exclusively obtained a video showing North Korean troops receiving Russian military supplies at the Sergiyevsky training ground in Russia's Far East ahead of their deployment to Ukraine." [Image source: Strategic Communications Center under the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture and Information]

On the 25th (local time), US CNN released intercepted conversations of Russian brigade soldiers stationed in Kursk Oblast, obtained by Ukrainian military intelligence. Citing Ukrainian military authorities, CNN reported that Russian soldiers are speaking contemptuously about the North Korean troops, stating, "Russian soldiers have expressed concerns about the North Korean command and the provision of ammunition and military equipment."

It was also reported that Russian soldiers referred to them as "damn Chinese." Additionally, Russian soldiers called the North Korean troops the 'K Battalion,' showing disregard and dissatisfaction, leading to discord. Regarding the military policy assigning one interpreter per 30 North Korean soldiers and three Russian officers, one Russian soldier was heard saying, "The only thing I don't understand is why there have to be three officers for every 30 people," and "Where do they get these people from?"

Ukrainian intelligence authorities stated that they intercepted such audio on the 23rd from an encrypted Russian military communication channel and estimate that North Korean troops could be deployed to Kursk Oblast as early as the 27th. John Kirby, White House National Security Communications Coordinator, mentioned in a briefing that there could be more than 3,000 North Korean soldiers.

Meanwhile, North Korea has tentatively acknowledged the deployment to Russia. As evidence supporting the dispatch to Russia has been continuously revealed, it appears they have indirectly admitted it. Kim Jong-gyu, Deputy Minister in charge of Russia at North Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responded to a question from a reporter of the Korean Central News Agency about the North Korean troop deployment to Russia by saying, "We have taken note of the recent international media coverage regarding the deployment of our troops to Russia," and added, "If such an event occurs, it would be an action in accordance with international legal norms."