KYIV, Jan 16 (Alliance News): The presence of North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces has raised alarm in Ukraine, with reports of extreme loyalty and brutal tactics.
This week, Ukrainian special forces encountered fierce resistance in the icy western part of Russia’s Kursk region, where they discovered the bodies of over a dozen North Korean soldiers following intense clashes.
Among the fallen was a soldier who detonated a grenade to avoid capture, narrowly missing Ukrainian troops. Ukrainian special operations confirmed the deaths of 17 North Korean fighters during the skirmish.
The act of self-destruction has been seen as evidence of the deep indoctrination and loyalty instilled in these soldiers.
Reports suggest that North Korean troops in Ukraine have been conditioned to perceive capture as treason.
Intelligence officials and defectors confirm that soldiers are instructed to take extreme measures, including suicide, to evade imprisonment. These practices highlight the growing alliance between Pyongyang and Moscow amid Russia’s prolonged war with Ukraine.
A defected North Korean soldier, identified only as Kim, revealed that troops are indoctrinated to sacrifice their lives for Kim Jong-un and are made to believe that being taken as a prisoner is worse than death. Kim also mentioned that many of these soldiers have previously been employed in Russia on construction projects to generate funds for the North Korean regime.
Intelligence evidence, including memos recovered from North Korean soldiers, confirms directives to avoid capture at any cost.
One memo reportedly contained a message sent directly to Kim Jong-un, emphasizing the importance of suicide over surrender.
Ukrainian officials now face the additional challenge of dealing with soldiers whose extreme devotion and unconventional tactics complicate the battlefield dynamics.
The situation underscores the broader implications of the open military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, posing new strategic challenges for Kyiv.