North Korean Soldiers Captured in Ukraine: Insights From Ukrainian Troops
A recent capture of North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine has shed light on Pyongyang’s military tactics and the grim reality faced by these troops. Ukrainian paratroopers, speaking in a video released by the 95th Air Assault Brigade, described the encounter with chilling detail.
According to Ukrainian soldier Pavlo, a drone operator spotted movement on the battlefield after Ukrainian forces repelled an attack.Approaching cautiously, the soldiers encountered a North Korean soldier unresponsive to Ukrainian, Russian, or English.Interaction was established through gestures, revealing the soldier’s possession of a grenade, a knife, and, surprisingly, a sausage.
“He had a grenade and a knife on his body armor, which he showed he was dropping. In his pouches, there was something red we initially thoght was a makeshift lighter. But when he took it out, it was a sausage – he was indicating it was for eating… and he wouldn’t drop it, we let him keep it,” Pavlo recounted.
After receiving food and medical attention, the soldier reportedly calmed down, requesting Korean romance movies via radio communication.
The incident offers a glimpse into the stark reality of North korean involvement in the conflict. Reports indicate that Pyongyang sent approximately 12,000 soldiers to Russia’s Kursk border region in late October, bolstering Moscow’s military efforts following Ukraine’s August counteroffensive. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy estimated that around 4,000 North Korean troops have been killed or wounded, a figure likely rising with ongoing battlefield losses.
Ukrainian soldiers, speaking in the 95th Air Assault Brigade’s video, described North Korean tactics as reminiscent of early Russian strategies during the invasion. Their approach involves massive, frontal assaults, lacking tactical sophistication, similar to Soviet-era warfare. This contrasts with Russia’s recent shift towards smaller,targeted attacks.
Interestingly, unlike russian forces, North Korean troops appear to prioritize evacuating their wounded, highlighting a potential difference in military doctrine and priorities.
Stoic Soldiers: North Korean Troops Show Unwavering Resolve in Ukraine
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has seen the participation of various international forces, including a contingent of soldiers from North Korea. Their presence has shed light on their unique fighting style,characterized by unwavering loyalty and a fierce resistance to capture.
Ukrainian authorities have reported that north Korean soldiers rarely surrender, often opting for suicide rather than being taken prisoner. This stark reality was highlighted by a recent statement from the Ukrainian Armed forces:
> “It is indeed no secret that North Korean soldiers do not surrender, they are ready to commit suicide just to avoid being captured by Ukrainian soldiers,”
This unflinching determination has resulted in heavy casualties among the North Korean troops. Despite their numbers, very few have fallen into Ukrainian hands. Only three have been captured thus far, with one succumbing to his wounds shortly after.
This commitment to combat, regardless of the personal cost, illustrates a stark contrast to typical military doctrines of surrender and prisoner exchange. It paints a picture of a force deeply indoctrinated and willing to face death rather than compromise their beliefs or national standing.
What was Major فضائ’s impression of the military tactics and training of the North Korean soldiers?
Interview Transcript
Archyde News Editor (A): Good day,and welcome to Archyde News. Today, we have a special guest with us – Major الغذاء, a seasoned Ukrainian paratrooper from the renowned 95th Air Assault Brigade. Major, thank you for joining us.
Major فضائ (F): Thank you for having me. I’m here to share our experiences and the insights we’ve gained about the North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces.
A: Let’s dive right in. Your unit recently encounteredNorth Korean soldiers. Can you tell us more about that day and how you first came across them?
F: Of course. We were on the offensive, repelling a Russian attack when our drone operator spotted unusual movement on the battlefield. We approached cautiously, and that’s when we saw them – several North Korean soldiers, injured and disoriented.
A: Injured, you say? Were they responsive when you first encountered them?
F: No, not initially. They didn’t react to Ukrainian, Russian, or English. we had to establish communication through gestures, which wasn’t easy. They were clearly struggling and had limited supplies – just some basic gear, a grenade, and a knife.
A: That must have been quite a challenge. What was your impression of their military tactics and training?
F: Their tactics seemed outdated, heavily reliant on customary warfare methods. They lacked the versatility and adaptability we’ve seen in Russian or Ukrainian troops. Their combat training appeared to be more focused on rote learning and drills, with less emphasis on on-the-ground decision-making.
A: Captivating. We’ve heard reports of mass casualties among North Korean troops. Can you share any insights on that?
F: Yes, unfortunately, we’ve seen many North Korean casualties. The ones we encountered were gravely injured, and despite our best efforts to medically evacuate them, several succumbed to their wounds later. It’s a tragic reality of this war.
A: That’s sobering to hear.Do you believe this recent deployment signals a significant shift in North korea’s military strategy?
F: It’s hard to say for certain, but it does show a willingness to engage more actively in regional conflicts. Though, their losses here could possibly have domestic repercussions. Warriors are considered heroes in North Korea, and these casualties might impact their image.
A: final question,Major – what message would you like to convey to our audience about the North Korean soldiers?
F: I’d like to express our sympathy for the soldiers we faced. Despite being on opposite sides, they’re still people caught up in a war they may not fully understand. We treat them with respect and dignity, even in enemy encounter.
A: Thank you, Major فضائ. That concludes our interview. Thank you for sharing your firsthand insights and experiences with archyde News.
F: You’re welcome. It’s important that people understand the complexities of this conflict.
