North Korean military commanders blamed Russian forces for stalled operations and mounting casualties during the initial DPRK troop deployment to the Ukraine war, according to state media, airing images of military reports prepared for leader Kim Jong Un.

The admission of heavy casualties aligns with Western and Ukrainian intelligence about the early struggles of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) to adapt to the rigors of modern warfare in Russia’s Kursk region.

Showing the documents on Korean Central Television(KCTV) appears to be part of ongoing efforts to deflect criticism of the North Korean leadership for losses in the overseas conflict,