**Translation from the news article**:
Ukrainian military intelligence agency reported last Saturday (December 14) that North Korean forces opened fire on Russian soldiers in the battlefield in Kursk Oblast, resulting in the death of 8 Russian soldiers.
Earlier that day, Ukrainian President Zelensky reported that a “significant number” of North Korean forces had joined Russia’s assault operation in Kursk Oblast.
According to The Kyiv Independent, the Ukrainian military intelligence agency (HUR) reported through its official Telegram channel that during a battle in Kursk Oblast, a group of North Korean soldiers fired at the Chechen Akhmat Unit, who were fighting for Russia, resulting in the death of eight Russian soldiers.
The Kyiv Independent has not independently verified this information.
HUR stated that the incident was caused by a lack of communication between Russian and North Korean troops, with language barriers remaining a “challenge” on the Russian battlefield.
As of December 14th, it is estimated that 200 soldiers co-operating with Russian and North Korean forces have died, according to HUR.
Zelensky had previously mentioned that North Korean soldiers on the Russian battlefield were experiencing “significant losses,” but did not provide specific numbers.
This autumn, Ukrainian and Western officials had warned that over 10,000 North Korean soldiers had amassed in Kursk Oblast, attempting to assist Russia in pushing Ukrainian forces out of the region.
HUR mentioned that the Russian military had implemented special regulations at the camps where North Korean soldiers were stationed, including mandatory checks for Russian soldiers before entering these camps, and confiscation of their phones and electronic devices.
It was reported that in early November, clashes erupted between North Korean forces and Ukrainian troops in Kursk Oblast. Zelensky had stated at that time that North Korean forces had not yet been deployed to other frontline areas, but the situation could change in the future.