Key Takeaways:

• North Korean troops have been reported to commit suicide to evade capture during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
• Estimates suggest that North Korea has sent 10,000 to 12,000 soldiers to support Russian forces.
• The Ukrainian military has documented instances, including self-detonation by North Korean soldiers, reflecting a troubling state of mind among these troops.
• High casualty rates and extreme measures highlight a desperate situation amidst manpower shortages for Russia.

Amid increasing reports of North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces in the Ukraine conflict, shocking revelations indicate that some of these soldiers are resorting to suicide rather than surrendering to Ukrainian military units. As the alliance between Pyongyang and Moscow deepens, casualties among the North Korean ranks are mounting, with recent estimates from various sources indicating that around 11,000 North Korean soldiers have deployed to southern Russia since late 2022.

Ukrainian officials report that North Korean soldiers, identified as having been brainwashed, are acting with extreme measures, including self-detonation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that "low numbers of North Korean troops taken captive emphasize their unwillingness to surrender" (Newsweek). Analytical assessments suggest that over 300 North Korean troops have been killed, while thousands more have sustained injuries since their deployment.

On the battlefield in Russia's Kursk region, Ukrainian special forces have encountered troubling scenarios. In one incident, reported by Ukrainian sources, a North Korean soldier detonated a grenade, killing himself rather than being captured, highlighting the psychological state and indoctrination these soldiers are under (Reuters). Additional accounts from defectors indicate that the North Korean military emphasizes a culture of loyalty and sacrifice, with suicide seen as a means to protect both the regime's image and the families of soldiers back home.

While neither Russia nor North Korea has officially confirmed the deployment of troops in the region, leaders from both nations have acknowledged military cooperation. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated, “We do not know what is true there,” when asked about the presence of North Korean soldiers (SCMP).

The situation raises alarms internationally, as the cooperation between Russia and North Korea may bolster both nations militarily. As North Korea engages in its first major conflict since the Korean War, experts warn that the skills acquired in the Ukrainian theater could further enhance North Korea’s military capabilities (Reuters).

In light of the heavy casualties and alarming reports of suicidal actions, Ukraine is prepared to exchange captured North Korean soldiers for their own military members held by Russia, indicating a complex humanitarian dimension amidst ongoing hostilities (Newsweek).

For further details regarding the developments of these troops in the Russia-Ukraine war, you can visit Reuters or see the full report on Newsweek.