North Korean Soldier Fighting for Russia Blows Himself Up to Avoid Capture

Kyiv – A North Korean soldier fighting alongside Russian forces detonated a grenade to avoid capture by Ukrainian troops during an intense battle in the snowy terrain of the Kursk region. The shocking incident underscores the lengths North Korean troops are willing to go to avoid being taken prisoner, providing further evidence of a growing military alliance between Pyongyang and Moscow.

The Incident

Ukrainian special forces, surveying the battlefield after a fierce clash, discovered the bodies of over a dozen North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region. Among the casualties was one soldier who remained alive but detonated a grenade upon the approach of Ukrainian soldiers, Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces confirmed in a post on social media platform X. Fortunately, no Ukrainian troops were injured in the blast.

This act of self-detonation, officials say, highlights the intense indoctrination faced by North Korean soldiers, who are conditioned to view capture as an ultimate betrayal.

Mounting Evidence of Alliance

Kyiv’s officials have pointed to this incident as the latest proof of North Korea’s involvement in the ongoing conflict. Ukrainian intelligence estimates that approximately 11,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to assist Russian forces, with over 3,000 killed or wounded in action so far. This marks North Korea’s most significant military engagement abroad since the Korean War (1950-53).

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned the alliance, calling for international scrutiny and sanctions against both Russia and North Korea.

Soldiers “Brainwashed” to Avoid Capture

Testimonies from defectors and recovered documents reveal a chilling culture within the North Korean military. According to Kim, a 32-year-old former North Korean soldier who defected to South Korea in 2022, self-destruction is glorified as a means to avoid capture. “Becoming a prisoner of war means treason,” Kim said. “We were taught to use our last bullet or a grenade to end our own lives rather than be captured.”

South Korean intelligence officials have corroborated these accounts, finding memos on deceased North Korean soldiers that emphasize suicide over surrender. Lee Seong-kweun, a member of South Korea’s parliamentary intelligence committee, stated that these practices are part of a long-standing directive from North Korean leadership.

Captured North Korean Soldiers in Ukraine

Ukraine has reportedly captured two North Korean soldiers in recent weeks. One soldier expressed a desire to stay in Ukraine, while the other hoped to return to North Korea. President Zelenskyy has proposed exchanging these prisoners with Pyongyang for Ukrainian POWs held in Russia, though there has been no official response from North Korea.

Zelenskyy has also accused Russian and North Korean forces of killing wounded Pyongyang troops on the battlefield to prevent their capture, further highlighting the dire conditions these soldiers endure.

Geopolitical Consequences

North Korea’s involvement in the conflict signals a deepening alliance with Russia, raising concerns about the global implications of their cooperation. While Moscow and Pyongyang initially dismissed reports of North Korean troop deployments as “fake news,” Russian President Vladimir Putin has since avoided denying the claims, and North Korean officials have defended the legality of such deployments.

This collaboration, analysts say, could alter the dynamics of the conflict and complicate diplomatic efforts to resolve the war.

Conclusion

The tragic death of the North Korean soldier in Kursk serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of the Pyongyang-Moscow alliance. As the conflict intensifies, the international community faces urgent questions about how to address the ethical and geopolitical challenges posed by this partnership.