North Korean Combat Engineers Clear Over 40,000 Hectares of Ukrainian Minefields in Russia’s Kursk Region

Combat engineers of the Korean People’s Army 528th Engineer Regiment have removed mines on an area of almost 42,400 hectares of territory in the Russian Kursk region, destroying over 1.5 million explosives, according to a statement by the region’s Governor Alexander Khinshtein. “Combat engineers from the friendly republic have cleared almost 42,400 hectares of our territory from mines and destroyed over 1.5 million explosive devices. This is invaluable help in the work, without which our borderline territory cannot be rebuilt," he stated. The 528th Engineer Regiment has been confirmed to have returned to North Korea after accomplishing the task assignment to them by the ruling Korean Workers’ Party.

A Ukrainain-led incursion into Kursk was launched in August 2024, and was decisively repelled only in April the following year by Russian forces with the assistance of the Korean People’s Army. Although North Korea is not known to have deployed its forces in strength for operations beyond Kursk into disputed territories claimed by both Russia and Ukraine, where the bulk of fighting is taking place, its alliance with Russia has obliged it to protect internationally recognised Russian territory. The Ukrainain assault into Kursk was notably itself supported by significant contingents of personnel from NATO member states, such as contractors from the American Forward Observation Group organisation.

Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in June confirmed plans for the Korean People’s Army to dispatch 1000 mine clearance experts and 5000 military engineers to support de-mining and reconstruction efforts in Kursk. Subsequently in mid-November images were released showing shown North Korean mine warfare teams operating in Kursk, with engineers seen equipped with Russian VR-2-02 combat uniforms, Saiga-12K shotguns, RPK-74 automatic rifles, AK-74M rifles, and a wide range of mine clearance equipment. Reports also emerged in June that 5,000 North Korean industrial workers were being dispatched to help increase output at the Alabuga Factory where Russia produces Geran-2 drones. While North Korean ground forces are expected to continue to play a central role in securing Russia’s borders, the Russian Armed Forces have relied heavily on North Korean armaments for ongoing operations across the Ukrainian theatre, ranging from 170mm self propelled artillery and ballistic missiles, to mortars and anti-tank guided missiles.