North Korean soldiers have been deployed to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine since November, with up to 4,000 troops killed or injured in the intense battles.
The brutal tactics employed by these soldiers include detonating grenades under their chins to avoid capture and using fellow soldiers as bait to lure out attack drones. To gain an advantage on foot, they remove body armor plates and helmets, allowing for faster attacks.
Ukrainian special operations forces have gained insight into the world of North Korean troops through interviews with CNN, revealing a high level of training but limited experience in combat situations. The soldiers are equipped with modern Russian standard issue equipment, including AK-12 assault rifles and anti-tank mines.
North Korean soldiers were found to carry fake Russian military IDs and wrote pledges of allegiance to Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un before their deployment. Some papers contained notes on acts of disloyalty by North Korean subordinates, as well as new tactics to counter drone attacks.
The Ukrainians described the North Koreans as ruthless opponents, who do not take prisoners and instead shoot servicemen in the back of the head. The soldiers’ limited experience in combat is due to their country’s strict military policies, with an estimated 1.2 million armed service personnel and mandatory military service from age 17.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/28/europe/north-korean-soldiers-fighting-for-russia-intl-cmd/index.html