Elite North Korean military athletes clashed with their Russian counterparts in “friendly” boxing matches in Moscow, as part of a visit by a large DPRK delegation to the country amid growing military and economic ties. 

Russian state television hailed the DPRK boxers as “worthy opponents with excellent technique who fight to the very end” and stun the audience with their performance despite their “small height.”

The team of 10 male and female athletes arrived in Moscow on June 23, with their joint training with a boxing team of the Russian Armed Forces set to last until this Tuesday, according to