NHK has viewed footage that purports to show a Russian military uniform that was worn by a North Korean soldier who took part in the fighting with Ukraine.

The video was obtained from sources close to the matter. It shows what is said to be gear worn by a North Korean soldier who died. The video shows a military uniform, boots and a helmet that are believed to be worn by the Russian military.

An identification tag of the soldier bears the words "Russian military," and also shows a personal ID number.

NHK obtained the footage amid reports that about 11,000 North Korean troops have been deployed with Russian forces in the western Russian region of Kursk, where Ukraine is waging a cross-border offensive.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said more than 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded in the fighting. He said on December 27 that Ukrainian forces had captured several North Korea soldiers, but they were seriously wounded and died.

A Ukrainian military expert says North Korean soldiers may be wearing Russian military gear possibly in an attempt to falsify their identification, and that Russia may want to hide that it is being helped by North Korea.

In December, Ukrainian forces showed military identification documents believed to be held by North Korean soldiers who had died in the fighting. The documents lack face photos, and the place of birth is signed as a republic in Russia.

Ukraine calls the documents fake, condemning Russia for attempting to conceal the presence of North Korean troops in western Russia.