The North Korean soldiers in Kursk are often described as ‘cannon fodder’ for the Russian war against Ukraine. But according to a Ukrainian soldier, they should not be underestimated: they are “resilient, excellently trained and morally stable.” By comparison, the Wagner soldiers were ‘like children’.
About 12,000 North Korean soldiers are said to be deployed alongside Russian forces to reclaim areas in the Kursk region captured by Ukraine. Yuri Bondar, who served in the 80th Ukrainian airborne brigade ‘Galician Lions’, warned on Facebook not to underestimate these fighters: “They are extremely resilient, well-trained and morally stable,” the soldier is quoted by ‘Kyiv Post’.
Photos of North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces:
North Koreans use special tactics against drones
“Their skills in handling small arms are extremely high – ten years of military service are paying off,” Bondar said. The number of Ukrainian drones shot down with small arms alone “is really surprising,” the soldier explained. The North Korean fighters would use a specific tactic: one group of soldiers would act as a “decoy” to attract the drone’s attention, while the others would try to ambush it.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy published on X an interview with one of the few North Korean soldiers who were captured:
“By comparison, the Wagner mercenaries of 2022 are just children”
The North Koreans are said to conduct “dynamic attacks” and often “surprise” the Ukrainian defenders, even though they are often outnumbered by the Ukrainian opponent. A commander reportedly told Bondar: “Compared to the soldiers of the North Korean army, the Wagner mercenaries of 2022 are just children.”
Only three North Koreans have been arrested so far
The soldier further explained that North Korean soldiers rarely surrender. When Ukrainian troops approached, they often blew themselves up with grenades. Wounded comrades would just lie there; the faces of the dead would also be burned to make identification more difficult. According to the Kyiv Post, only three North Koreans have been captured so far. One of them died shortly after his arrest.
Fighting with North Koreans “much more intense”
Anonymous sources had previously told the New York Times that fighting in Kursk had become “much more intense” since North Korean soldiers took up positions in the region. “The Koreans are quite skilled at shooting, they have repeatedly destroyed drones, of course they are trained for this in the first place, so they try to destroy everything in the air,” said a Ukrainian lieutenant.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
