Ukrainian defense intelligence officials have released what they say are intercepted conversations among Russian soldiers in Russia's western Kursk region, where Ukrainian troops have conducted cross-border incursions.

In the recording released Friday, those believed to be Russian soldiers discuss preparations for receiving North Korean troops, whom they call "Battalion K".

The radio interception indicates that one interpreter and three Russian soldiers are assigned for every 30 North Korean soldiers.

Referring to how orders should be interpreted, a soldier says with a laugh that the interpreter should say, "Go ahead, kill everyone".

The conversation suggests one Russian soldier does not know how to deal with the North Koreans, while another is unhappy about an order to provide them with armored vehicles.

One Russian who expresses anger toward a fellow soldier says he wants to kill him -- after killing the Koreans.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that North Korean troops sent to Russia will enter "combat zones" as early as Sunday.