Ukraine releases audio file- Russian military dislikes North Korean soldiers as -holding back-

Recently, multiple nations have confirmed that North Korean troops are being sent to Russia. According to a CNN report, on October 25, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Agency released intercepted audio recordings that reveal Russian military officials expressing concerns and dissatisfaction regarding their command and the provision of arms and supplies to North Korean forces.

In these audio clips, Russian soldiers spoke disparagingly about the North Korean military unit code-named “K Battalion.” One soldier referred to North Korean troops using a derogatory term for “Chinese.” Another soldier described a comrade sent to welcome the North Koreans, saying, “He just stood there, eyes wide open, looking as if to say, ‘What the hell? He actually came to talk to us, and he has no idea how to deal with these people.'”

The Ukrainian intelligence team noted that these recordings were intercepted from a secure communication channel used by the Russian military on the evening of October 23. Analysis of the audio suggests that plans were underway for the North Korean troops to be mobilized at the Postoyalye Dvory field camp in Russia’s Kursk region on the morning of October 24. Earlier this year, Ukrainian forces conducted a surprise attack and captured parts of the Kursk region.

The recordings also indicate that each group of 30 North Korean soldiers is supposed to be accompanied by a translator and three senior Russian officers, a detail that has raised further discontent among Russian troops. One soldier remarked, “What I don’t understand is why there are three senior officers for just 30 North Koreans. Where are we supposed to find that many personnel? We still have to move people around.”

In another clip, a soldier mentioned, “Tomorrow, 77 battalion commanders are coming, along with their deputy commanders and others.”

On October 25, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that he had received reports from the Ukrainian military chief regarding the deployment of North Korean forces. He indicated, “Intelligence suggests that the first batch of North Korean troops will be deployed in the combat zone on the 27th or 28th. This is clearly an escalation by the Russian military, which is different from the recent false information being spread in Kazan.”

Initially, the Kremlin denied the presence of North Korean troops, but during the BRICS summit in Kazan on October 24, President Vladimir Putin did not outright deny the reports of troop deployment. Meanwhile, North Korea responded on the 25th via state media, suggesting that any military assistance to Russia in the context of the Ukraine war would be compliant with international law, although it did not confirm the specifics of the deployment.

On another note, North Korea’s Foreign Ministry Deputy Minister Kim Yong-kyo stated through state-run KCNA news that if North Korea were to send troops, “it would be an action consistent with international norms.” This marked North Korea’s first public stance on the matter.

The South Korean government has expressed concern that North Korea’s troop deployment may result in a transfer of military technology. A senior official from the South Korean presidential office stated to the media, “North Korea is not just providing weapons but also military support, which cannot happen without compensation.” They are particularly worried about potential technology transfers related to satellites, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), and traditional weaponry, as well as possible aircraft technology from Russia to North Korea. South Korea believes that the U.S., Japan, and South Korea need to collaborate to assess the extent of such technology transfers and respond accordingly.

Additionally, the Russian parliament is on the verge of formally approving a defense treaty between Moscow and Pyongyang, prompting South Korea to call for Russia to halt its “illegal collaboration” with North Korea and express “serious concerns” about the situation. The White House also commented that national security advisors from the U.S., Japan, and South Korea held a meeting on the topic of North Korean troop deployment and conveyed their “grave concerns” about the developments.