Watch: First Video Showing Russian Instructors Training North Korean Troops

With the full liberation of Kursk having been declared by President Putin days ago, both Moscow and its recent defense treaty partner North Korea are much more openly touting the fact that North Korean troops are operating alongside Russian forces against the Ukrainian army.

For the first time, Russia’s Defense Ministry has released official footage showing North Korean soldiers undergoing combat training in Russia. The video was reportedly captured soon after reports began circulating that over 10,000 DPRK troops had been deployed to Russia, where they later fought in Kursk region in particular.

In the footage, Russian instructors teach the North Korean soldiers in shooting techniques and formations with Kalashnikov assault rifles. Anti-drone measures are also featured, as well as hand grenade training. Several live-fire exercises are featured, including firing RPGs and some sniper training.

Russia did not comment on precisely where the training took place, but it confirms that the terms of the Russian-North Korean mutual defense treaty – inked last summer between Presidents Putin and Kim Jong-Un, had been enacted fairly quickly once Ukraine forces crossed the border and entered Kursk.

The latest international reports have said 14,000 or more North Korean soldiers were sent to Russia amid the Kursk operation. The bulk of these are said to be from special forces units. Putin thanked them and Kim Jong-Un this week, in a first such public acknowledgement.

Ukraine is meanwhile urging Washington to take more serious action in light of this confirmation, and is also calling on South Korea, per regional media:

“If the Kremlin sends North Korean troops to the territory of Ukraine it would mean that North Korea is in a state of all out war with Ukraine,” Oleksandr Merezhko, chair of the parliament’s foreign affairs committee, told the Kyiv Independent.

The lawmaker from the ruling Servant of the People explained that such a deployment would cause “serious legal, political, and military consequences for Russia and North Korea,” prompting a stronger reaction from countries such as South Korea and the U.S.

“(Russian President Vladimir) Putin understands that if he does it (U.S. President Donald) Trump will have to react rather strongly,” Merezhko said.

Watch: video issued by Russian military showing training of DPRK troops at a prior date:

“We won’t invade Ukraine.”
“No North Koreans are fighting for Russia.”
“We want peace talks with Ukraine.”

How many times does the West need to hear Russia lie before it finally learns? pic.twitter.com/a8spASlnLl

— Shaun Pinner (@olddog100ua) April 28, 2025

Ukraine had reportedly breached the Russian border in Belgorod too, so it’s possible North Korean troops might be deployed that region as well. Whether or not they are actually inside Eastern Ukraine is an open question.

As for North Korea’s Kim, KCNA quoted him Monday as saying, “They who fought for justice are all heroes and representatives of the honor of the motherland.” North Korea “regards it as an honor to have an alliance with such a powerful state as the Russian Federation,” he added. Ukraine has claimed to have captured a handful of both North Korean and even Chinese troops over the past month.