In a significant escalation of military collaboration, thousands of North Korean troops have been deployed to Kursk, where they are now receiving training alongside Russian forces. The Russian Ministry of Defense has released a striking new video featuring North Korean soldiers in various training exercises, emphasizing their integration into modern combat scenarios.

The 77-second video montage, disseminated by the state media outlet TASS, showcases North Korean soldiers honing their skills with contemporary small arms that are currently deployed in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The footage includes scenes of troops practicing essential fire movements, executing drills while taking cover, and clearing trenches, all under the guidance of Russian military instructors.

Among the advanced weaponry on display is the AK-12, a state-of-the-art modular assault rifle that was introduced into Russian service in 2020. Several soldiers are seen wielding this rifle, some equipped with reflex sights and foregrips to enhance their combat effectiveness. In stark contrast, North Korean troops are primarily accustomed to the Type-88, a modified version of the Soviet-era AK-74 rifle.

Additionally, the video highlights other weapons familiar within the Russian arsenal, including the SVD sniper rifle, commonly known as the Dragunov, and the belt-fed PK machine gun. In one notable clip, a soldier operates an RPG-7, the rocket-propelled grenade launcher that remains a staple of the Russian military. He successfully fires a high-explosive anti-tank round from this weapon, demonstrating the kind of firepower North Korean forces are beginning to master.

Notably, these small arms align with a comprehensive list of military equipment that, according to Ukraine's military intelligence, Russia has been providing to North Korean troops since November 2024. This partnership is indicative of a growing military alliance between the two nations.

In another segment of the footage, a soldier is seen firing a semiautomatic 12-gauge shotgun known as the Vepr-12. This particular shotgun is outfitted with an extended choke, a modification that enhances its effectiveness against aerial threats, specifically drones. Both Ukrainian and Russian forces have increasingly relied on shotguns for their effectiveness in close-range engagements against drones, and TASS reports that North Korean soldiers are being trained with these shotguns for similar purposes.

The state medias assertion that these soldiers are part of North Korea's contingent in Kursk, sent to bolster Russian military efforts, remains unverified by independent sources, raising questions about the accuracy of the claims. However, the acknowledgment by both Russia and North Korea that North Korean troops are actively engaging with Ukrainian forces marks a significant shift from their previous silence concerning the collaboration.

The implications of this partnership have raised alarms in Western nations and South Korea, as there are growing concerns that North Korean troops could be acquiring critical combat experience and learning to operate modern weaponry and drones. Reports from the frontlines have indicated that many of these North Korean soldiers have been involved in brutal ground infantry assaults, which have resulted in considerable casualties. Such tactics are emblematic of Russia's strategy aimed at exhausting Ukraines military resources.

Initial accounts from the battlefield described the North Korean troops as unprepared for the realities of modern combat; they reportedly struggled to handle drone warfare and suffered heavy losses as a result. However, there are indications that they are beginning to adapt. For example, Ukrainian forces have claimed to have obtained intelligence from a captured North Korean soldier, which detailed a strategy for luring drones into attacking a fellow soldier as a distraction.

Furthermore, North Korean soldiers are likely gaining their first exposure to advanced military technologies, such as the HIMARS artillery systems and the Abrams tanks that have been instrumental in Ukraine's defense efforts. On the battlefield, North Korean troops have reportedly shown resilience, often engaging in aggressive frontal assaults without armor support, which has been reminiscent of historical "human wave" tactics. Ukrainian soldiers have remarked on the tenacity of North Korean forces, noting that some seem willing to fight to the death rather than surrender.

A spokesperson from the U.S. State Department recently expressed continued concern over North Korea's troop deployments, stating that such actions only serve to perpetuate the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. They emphasized that nations like North Korea share responsibility for the escalation of hostilities in the region.