'F***king Chinese': Russian Soldiers Label North Korean Troops In Purported Leaked Audio

Russian soldiers have been overheard expressing concerns about the management and supply of North Korean troops, according to leaked communications obtained by Ukraine's Defense Intelligence. These intercepts, released on Friday, reveal discussions among Russian soldiers regarding the incoming North Korean forces, referred to as the "K Battalion", CNN reported.

The intercepted audio captures Russian soldiers speaking disparagingly about the North Korean soldiers, even referring to them derogatorily as "the f**king Chinese." One soldier describes another tasked with receiving these troops, expressing bewilderment over how to handle them.

Intercepted Communications Reveal Concerns

The audio was captured from encrypted Russian channels on October 23. Analysis by Ukraine's Defense Intelligence indicated that North Korean troop movements were scheduled for October 24 in Russia's Kursk region. This area had previously witnessed a surprise incursion by Ukraine earlier in the year, the report adds.

Plans outlined in the intercepts include assigning one interpreter and three senior officers for every 30 North Korean soldiers. The Russian servicemen are heard criticizing this arrangement. One soldier questions where they will find enough officers, suggesting they would need to be reassigned from elsewhere.

Deployment of North Korean Troops

Ukraine's military intelligence announced on Thursday that North Korean soldiers had been observed in Russia's Kursk region, which borders Ukraine and has been a site of ongoing military activity. A post on Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Telegram account stated that some North Korean troops trained in Russia's far east had moved to western Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported receiving information about the deployment of North Korean military personnel from Ukraine's commander-in-chief. He noted that Russia planned to deploy these troops in combat zones between October 27-28, marking a significant escalation.

International Reactions and Denials

Initially, the Kremlin dismissed claims of North Korean troop deployments. However, during a BRICS summit in Kazan, Russian President Vladimir Putin did not deny Pyongyang's involvement. Meanwhile, North Korea stated that any troop deployment would adhere to international law but did not confirm their presence explicitly.

President Zelensky saud that North Korea's involvement should not be ignored or met with confusion but rather addressed with pressure on Moscow and Pyongyang to comply with the UN Charter and penalize escalation.