Russians deployed North Koreans on battlefield and lost friendly Chechen mercenaries in blue on blue incident – Ukraine's Defence Intelligence

Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) has reported that Russia began using North Korean soldiers in assault operations in Kursk Oblast, particularly as part of combined marine and airborne units, but they opened friendly fire and killed eight Kadyrovites [Kadyrovites is the collective term for Chechen troops loyal to the country's leader, Ramzan Kadyrov – ed.].

Source: DIU

Details: As the DIU notes, the North Korean troops suffered losses – both killed and wounded – as a result of a successful attack by Ukraine’s defence forces. Specifically, North Korean troops were effectively targeted by FPV (first-person view) drones at one of the positions in Kursk Oblast.

As of 14 December, the estimated losses of the units staffed by Russian and North Korean personnel amounted to about 200 servicemen.

Quote: "In the process of deploying North Korean troops on the battlefield, the language barrier remains a problematic obstacle to command and coordination.

Due to this problem, North Korean soldiers opened friendly fire on the vehicles of the so-called Akhmat battalion. The result was eight dead Kadyrovites."

Details: The DIU reminded that there are about 11,000 North Korean soldiers on the territory of the Russian Federation.

"In locations where they are deployed, the aggressor has introduced a special counterintelligence regime: to be allowed to enter the areas where North Korean units are located, Russian soldiers and officers are checked by the FSB, their phones and other devices are seized," the intelligence service said.

Previously: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that there was evidence that North Korean troops were being deployed against Ukrainian forces in Kursk Oblast.

Background:

• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on 7 November that there had already been casualties among North Korean troops fighting on the side of Russia in Kursk Oblast.
• The United States confirmed that North Korean troops had taken part in hostilities in Kursk Oblast.
• Moreover, the New York Times reports that a 50,000-strong group of Russian and North Korean troops is preparing to launch a large-scale counter-offensive in Kursk Oblast.

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