Ukraine Claims "Dozens of North Korean Soldiers Killed," Releases Photos and Videos

Drone photos and videos of dozens of North Korean soldiers who were killed in action during clashes with Ukrainian forces in Kursk, Russia, have been released.

On the 15th (local time), according to the local media Ukrainska Pravda, the Ukrainian 414th Attack Drone Regiment posted photos and videos on their Telegram channel showing dozens of bodies lined up in a row.

Photo of bodies claimed to be Russian and North Korean soldiers, released by the Ukrainian military. Captured from Ukrainska Pravda.

The channel claimed that the dozens of bodies in the photos and videos were North Korean soldiers. The photos are known to have been taken by Ukrainian drone pilots during combat.

Yuriy Butusov, a well-known Ukrainian military blogger, stated on social media (SNS) that "the footage secured by the Ukrainian command shows the bodies of dozens of North Korean soldiers," adding, "It is not yet clear whether any soldiers have been captured alive."

However, the released photos and videos are not clear in quality, and the bodies are buried in snow, making it difficult to confirm that they are North Korean soldiers.

In a regular address the previous day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, "Russia has begun deploying a 'significant number' of North Korean soldiers to drive our troops out of the Kursk region." He also claimed, "Russia is integrating North Korean soldiers into its own units and deploying them in operations within Kursk, and currently, North Korean soldiers are only deployed in operations within Kursk."

Ukrainian and U.S. authorities estimate that about 11,000 North Korean soldiers have been dispatched to support Russia and are currently believed to be in Kursk.