North Korean soldiers in Ukraine face execution by their own forces to prevent capture, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
At a Glance
- Over 3,000 North Korean troops reportedly killed or wounded in Russia’s Kursk region
- North Korean soldiers sent into battle with minimal protection
- Some North Korean troops executed by their own forces to avoid capture
- Zelenskyy urges China to pressure North Korea to stop military aid to Russia
- White House spokesperson indicates potential new security assistance package for Ukraine
Heavy Losses and Brutal Tactics
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reported that North Korean troops deployed in Russia’s Kursk region are suffering heavy losses and facing brutal treatment from their own forces. According to Zelenskyy, over 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded in the region, with some even being executed by their own side to prevent capture.
The situation highlights the extreme measures taken by authoritarian regimes to maintain control over their troops and prevent potential defections or intelligence leaks. White House spokesperson John Kirby corroborated these reports, stating that North Korean forces are experiencing mass casualties on the front lines of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Zelensky reports several North Korean soldiers killed in Ukraine https://t.co/knjkma7AyA
— VOZ (@Voz_US) December 28, 2024
Expendable Troops and Minimal Protection
Reports suggest that North Korean troops are being sent into battle with minimal protection by Russian forces, leading to significant casualties. This apparent disregard for the lives of North Korean soldiers has raised concerns about the nature of the alliance between Russia and North Korea.
“It is clear that Russian and North Korean military leaders are treating these troops as expendable and ordering them on hopeless assaults against Ukrainian defenses,” White House spokesperson John Kirby said.
Zelenskyy has described the situation as a manifestation of the madness of dictatorships, emphasizing that neither Russian nor North Korean leaders seem interested in ensuring the survival of these troops. The Ukrainian president has called on China to exert pressure on North Korea to prevent the war from expanding, arguing that Koreans should not be involved in a European conflict.
International Implications and U.S. Response
The presence of North Korean soldiers in Ukraine has significant geopolitical implications. It highlights the complex relationships between Ukraine, North Korea, and Russia, with North Korea historically maintaining a pragmatic relationship with Russia and supporting its stance against NATO and the West.
“We see that neither the Russian military nor their North Korean overseers have any interest in ensuring the survival of these North Koreans,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
In response to the ongoing conflict, White House spokesperson John Kirby indicated that President Joe Biden might approve another security assistance package for Ukraine soon. Biden has condemned Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy system and cities and has instructed the Defense Department to continue supplying weapons to Ukraine.
More aid to Ukraine BEFORE Trump takes office? That’s a real slap in the face for everybody involved in this – including America.
