RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT "RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY" HANDOUT, MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO — EDITORIAL USE ONLY

SHOTLIST:

KURSK, RUSSIA (RELEASED ON NOV. 14, 2025) (RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY — RESTRICTED)

1. VARIOUS OF NORTH KOREAN SAPPERS RECEIVING TRAINING KURSK, RUSSIA — RELEASED ON NOV. 14, 2025 — RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT "RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY" HANDOUT, MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO — EDITORIAL USE ONLY — Russia “will never forget” North Korea’s assistance in ongoing mine-clearing operations in the Kursk region, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday, Nov. 14, praising the work of Korean People’s Army (KPA) sappers deployed alongside Russian teams.

“This work continues, and it’s dangerous and difficult. And indeed, our Korean friends are helping us greatly, and we greatly appreciate it,” Peskov told a press briefing in Moscow, referring to the joint demining effort.

Earlier, a Russian officer told the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper that manuals had been translated and printed for the KPA team, and “KPA sappers were trained in Russian commands.”

He said cooperation improved quickly and that the group received instructions on different types of mines.

Russia in April said its forces recaptured the Kursk region, eight months after Ukraine’s military began its incursion into the Russian territory in August 2024.

In June, Russia's security chief Sergey Shoygu said North Korea, which has helped Russia in its war on Ukraine, will send thousands of workers to help rebuild Kursk. The two countries signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement last year.

Russian officials claim Ukrainian forces left a large number of mines and improvised explosive devices while withdrawing.

The official said the recovered explosives included anti-tank and anti-personnel mines, artillery shells and grenades “made in NATO countries,” along with Ukrainian-made improvised devices.

Local authorities say many areas remain dangerous. Vladimir Zaitsev, head of the Bolshesoldatsky district, said 37 of 64 settlements are still closed because of mines and unexploded devices, and residents have been moved to safer areas.