North Korean Soldiers Reportedly Commit Suicide to Avoid Capture by Ukrainian Forces “`

January 15, 2025 by No Comments

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A Reuters report revealed that North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces are resorting to suicide to avoid capture by Ukrainian troops.

Following a recent battle, Ukrainian special forces discovered a surviving North Korean soldier among the bodies of over a dozen deceased comrades. The soldier detonated a grenade, taking his own life.

This report follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s announcement of the capture of two North Korean prisoners of war—a first in the conflict.

Zelenskyy stated in a national address that the capture was challenging and alleged that Russian forces execute wounded North Korean soldiers to prevent their capture.

Ukraine maintains that Russia has issued military IDs to North Korean soldiers to conceal their presence in the war, a claim corroborated by Western nations, including the U.S., who have confirmed Pyongyang’s troop deployment to Russia for months.

An estimated 12,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to Russia, with approximately 11,000 stationed in Kursk.

Zelenskyy and South Korean intelligence report approximately 3,000 casualties among North Korean troops in Kursk since their deployment in mid-November.

Zelenskyy shared a video on X showing the two captured North Korean soldiers receiving medical attention and being interrogated.

One soldier stated he believed he was participating in training exercises, unaware of the conflict with Ukraine. He was deployed into active combat on January 3rd, witnessed the deaths of fellow soldiers, and hid for two days before his capture on January 5th.

Western intelligence suggests these soldiers are unprepared for combat, and Zelenskyy expressed confidence in capturing more North Korean soldiers.

Zelenskyy offered to return captured North Korean soldiers to Kim Jong Un in exchange for Ukrainian prisoners of war held by Russia, suggesting alternative options for those unwilling to return.

Reuters contributed to this report.