Russian Defense Ministry Shows North Korean Soldiers Training on Russian Firing Ranges

North Korean troops were trained in the handling of firearms and combat operations on Russian training grounds, according to a video released by the Russian Ministry of Defense. The footage shows them learning to use Kalashnikov rifles, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), and how to throw hand grenades. Some North Korean soldiers can also be seen handling shotguns, and in one segment, a soldier is shown firing upwards—apparently training in counter-drone tactics. The video also captures drills on conducting combat in open terrain and trenches, with soldiers moving in small groups and engaging targets. At the end of April, the Russian General Staff reported the complete liberation of the Kursk region from Ukrainian forces. This information was presented by Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov during a briefing to President Vladimir Putin, where for the first time the participation of North Korean troops in combat on Russian territory was officially confirmed. Later, North Korea also acknowledged the involvement of its soldiers in the fighting in the Kursk region.