North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russia against Ukraine are likely highly motivated, well-organized, well-trained, and better equipped than Russian infantry. This is evidenced by accounts from Ukrainian military personnel as well as items and records found among the North Koreans in Kursk after their deaths, reports Washington Post.
Ukrainian special forces showed journalists from the publication recordings discovered on the battlefield with North Korean troops. Among the findings were New Year's letters, likely authored by North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. Also recovered were bulletproof vests, gear, first aid kits, military tickets, a shovel, a knife made in Ukraine, and two modern Russian assault rifles.
It is noted that phrases read by Ukrainian soldiers in the found North Korean records reveal "an astonishing understanding of how Russia seems to have prepared its new allies to take Ukrainian prisoners during combat operations."
A soldier from the 1st Battalion of the 8th Special Operations Forces of Ukraine, 31-year-old Vlad, who presented the gear and documents of the North Koreans, stated that Russia likely adhered to the principle of "the best for the guest" when preparing its allies for battle. According to him, the Russians were equipped much worse.
Among the items found with the North Koreans were two handwritten pages containing messages from their leader Kim Jong-un, dated December 31 and January 1. The origin of these letters among the soldiers is unclear, the publication notes. They might have been "sent to the troops from Pyongyang or written by North Korean soldiers listening to their commanders read aloud messages from Kim."
"You have endured terrible sacrifices and the joy of dear combat victories, gained much noble combat experience, and invaluable feelings of true camaraderie and patriotism—all so far from home. I do not even know how to find the words to properly encourage and express gratitude for your dedication and tireless efforts," reads one of the messages.
A separate small booklet found with a North Korean soldier was filled with handwritten texts of patriotic North Korean songs. One of the poems noted:
"With my homeland, my fate is always divided."
"The fact that the soldiers carried these messages in their pockets while carrying out missions led Ukrainian military personnel to believe that they are significantly more ideologically motivated than Russian soldiers, who often fight on contracts for higher salaries," the publication states.
It is also noted that the found records indicate that North Korean troops meticulously document their combat experiences and seem to use it to better understand new technologies. The article remarks:
"Ukraine has warned that Pyongyang is using this opportunity as a chance to gain practical combat experience for potential future conflicts with the West."
As one Ukrainian soldier, Viktor, recounted, North Korean soldiers appear to be learning from their mistakes.
"In modern warfare, where reconnaissance and drone strikes are conducted in real-time, the inability to break combat groups into smaller squads of two to three members can lead to significant losses from enemy drones and artillery," says one of the found records.
The records also revealed that North Korean troops "repeatedly rushed to rescue their wounded comrades, despite the risks of enemy attacks, resulting in additional casualties."
North Korea's Involvement in the War Against Ukraine: Latest News
As previously reported by UNIAN, North Korea has likely supplied Russia with KN-15 missile systems. Analyst and aviation expert Konstantin Krivolap suggests that the strike on Kyiv on January 18 was carried out using a North Korean missile from the KN-15 system.
North Korean prisoners of war in Ukraine feel as though they "stepped out of a time machine," Western media reports. Video recordings of interrogations have surfaced, in which the captives admit they do not know what country they are in. When asked if they want to return home, one nods "yes," while another says, "I want to live in Ukraine."
Additionally, it has been noted that a large number of North Korean soldiers killed and wounded in the war against Ukraine will pose a problem for leader Kim Jong-un. According to South Korean intelligence, out of 12,000 North Korean troops deployed since October 2024 in the Kursk region of Russia, around 300 have been killed and 2,700 injured.