Ferocious Fighters, Willing to Die Rather Than Be Captured

Ferocious Fighters, Determined to Die

North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine have displayed a chilling combination of ferocity, brutality, and a willingness to die rather than be captured, according to a Ukrainian military source.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, provided graphic details of the lengths these soldiers will go to avoid capture. Since their presence in Russia was confirmed in October, only two North Korean soldiers have been captured alive, despite reports of heavy losses among their ranks.

One soldier, identified as 25-year-old Sergeant Lee Jong Nam from Pyongyang, was so determined not to be taken prisoner that he attempted to bite his own wrists after being wounded in the Kursk region. Another soldier, upon realizing he was about to be captured, charged headfirst into a concrete telegraph pole, killing himself.

These incidents highlight the extreme measures North Korean soldiers are willing to take to avoid capture. The source also revealed that one soldier, after being transported to Kyiv, was found with a small blade sewn into his pants, presumably for self-harm.

Ukrainian soldiers have been shocked by the ferocity of the North Korean troops, describing them as "the best soldiers the Russians have sent against us." They are well-trained, well-motivated, and brutal, often used as shock troops to break through Ukrainian defenses.

Despite their ferocity, the North Korean soldiers lack experience and often employ poor tactics. They are easily targeted when advancing across open ground, resulting in heavy casualties.

The source estimates that around 3,000 North Korean special forces and regular soldiers have been deployed to Ukraine. They are typically embedded in companies of 120 men, with seven Russian soldiers providing instructions.

The source also confirmed President Zelensky's claim of heavy casualties among the North Koreans, adding that they have been pulled back from the front lines for now. However, the cost of the Kursk operation has also been significant for Ukrainian troops.

With Russian and North Korean forces now estimated at 60,000 in the Kursk area, there are concerns that Russia may be preparing for a renewed offensive, potentially aiming to extend the front lines and threaten Kyiv.

The recent decrease in the scale and ferocity of attacks from the Russian side could indicate that attempts to dislodge Ukraine from Kursk have been blunted. However, it could also be a sign that the Russians and North Koreans are regrouping for another major offensive.