Multiple Ukrainian media outlets reported that 18 North Korean soldiers who were deployed for operations on Russian soil and subsequently deserted their posts were captured and detained by Russian forces.
On Monday, the Kyiv Independent and Ukrainska Pravda cited military and security sources, reporting that Russian authorities apprehended the soldiers last week in Komarichi, Bryansk Oblast, 60 kilometers from their desertion point.
Earlier, Ukrainian media reported that 18 North Korean soldiers had deserted their unit at a location 7 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, near the boundary of Kursk and Bryansk Oblasts.
Reports indicated that approximately 40 North Korean instructors and 50 Russian soldiers were stationed in the Komutovka area of Kursk Oblast. The North Korean forces were teaching the use of military balloons for specific purposes, while the Russian soldiers were instructing modern infantry combat tactics.
Sources claimed that after completing their training, the North Korean personnel were left in the forest for several days without food or instructions, and some deserted their posts in search of Russian military leadership.
The media added that all 40 North Korean soldiers were later redeployed from Komutovka to Lgov, also in Kursk Oblast, to be assigned to offensive operations.
Previously, Ukrainian media had reported that the Russian military was organizing a Buryat Special Battalion composed of North Korean soldiers within the 11th Air Assault Brigade, which could be deployed to Kursk Oblast.
