Lithuania’s well-known non-governmental organization “Blue/Yellow,” led by Jonas Ohman, has revealed that on October 25th, the first batch of North Korean soldiers aiding Russia engaged in combat with Ukrainian forces, resulting in almost total annihilation of the North Korean soldiers with only one survivor.
“Blue/Yellow” has been assisting the Ukrainian army since 2014, gaining firsthand information from the front lines and access to Ukrainian decision-makers. Ohman has previously shared credible information obtained through intelligence sources multiple times.
During an interview with the Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), Ohman stated, “We have long been aware that North Korea was preparing to play a role in the Ukrainian war.”
He pointed out that six months ago, some North Korean soldiers were already undergoing training in Belarus with the Belarusian 103rd Airborne Brigade.
Ohman also mentioned that there were reports indicating that some North Korean intelligence agents and engineers were deployed to Donetsk, assisting Russians in building fortifications. He stated that a few months ago, some North Koreans were killed by drones in Ukraine.
According to Ohman, they received warnings weeks ago that the North Korean soldiers were preparing to move to Russia and were being transferred to Vladivostok.
“It started with 1,500 personnel, later increasing to 11,000 to 12,000. As far as I know, the numbers may rise to 88,000,” Ohman said. “These are intelligence reports, not just rumors.”
On October 25th, there was a first visual contact between Ukrainian forces and North Korean soldiers in Kursk, where, as he said, all North Koreans except one were killed in action. The surviving North Korean soldier was found with Buryat identification.
Ohman did not provide specific numbers of North Korean casualties or Ukrainian losses during the initial clash.
“We understand that North Korean soldiers are using Russian weaponry,” he added.
To counter this situation, some Ukrainian Special Forces have been redirected to Kursk, equipped and with a clear mission, as Ohman detailed. They have been tasked with offering favorable surrender terms while also threatening pursuit if resistance continues.
“We have heard that these North Korean soldiers were warned that their families would suffer if they surrendered,” he added.
Ohman views the Kursk incident as an experiment. Currently, North Korean soldiers are seen as expendable assets. If they achieve success, they may eventually merge with Russian forces.
“We are aware that Russian commanders are perplexed as no one speaks Korean,” Ohman shared. “It seems to be causing a headache for the Russian military.”
LRT released their exclusive interview with Ohman on Monday, October 28th.
On Wednesday, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin informed reporters that North Korean soldiers are being outfitted with Russian military uniforms and equipment as they head towards Ukraine.
Austin stated that some North Korean advance units have already arrived in the Kursk region, raising the likelihood of their deployment by Russian forces in combat.
During Wednesday’s emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the UN, Sergiy Kyslytsya, asserted that thousands of North Korean soldiers have arrived at the Ukrainian border and are set to directly engage in combat operations against Ukrainian forces starting in November.
Kyslytsya mentioned that besides wearing Russian uniforms and carrying Russian small arms, they will also be provided with Russian documentation to conceal their presence. These individuals are expected to be integrated into forces consisting of ethnic Russian Asian minorities, including the Buryats.