Ukrainian special troops said they found North Korean soldiers resorting to suicide to avoid capture in the Kursk region of western Russia. A North Korean soldier allegedly detonated a grenade against himself this Monday (14 January 2024) during an inspection of bodies after a confrontation. The information is from
Ukrainian Special Operations Forces publicized the incident on their social media. The Ukrainian military escaped the explosion unharmed.
Kiev estimates that 11,000 North Korean troops support Russian forces in Kursk. Of these, more than 3,000 have been killed or injured since their participation in the conflict began, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.
Moscow and Pyongyang initially denied sending troops. In October 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin indirectly admitted the presence of North Korean military personnel on Russian territory.
The involvement marks North Korea’s largest international military operation since the Korean War (1950-1953). The country had sent smaller contingents to the Vietnam War and the conflict in Syria.
A South Korean parliamentarian, with access to information from the country’s intelligence agency, stated that North Korean soldiers demonstrate unpreparedness for modern warfare, especially against drone attacks. According to him, Russia uses them as “cannon fodder”.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has offered to exchange captured North Korean soldiers for Ukrainian prisoners held in Russia. The proposal was made directly to Kim Jong-un.
