After a battle in Russia's snowy region of Kursk this week, Ukrainian forces scoured the bodies of more than a dozen dead North Korean enemy soldiers.
Among them, they found one still alive. But as they approached, he detonated a grenade, blowing himself up, according to a description by Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces on Monday.
The forces said their soldiers escaped the blast uninjured.
It is among mounting evidence from the battlefield, intelligence reports and testimonies of defectors that some North Korean soldiers are resorting to extreme measures as they support Russia’s three-year war with Ukraine.
“Self-detonation and suicides: that’s the reality about North Korea,” said Kim, a 32-year-old former North Korean soldier who defected to the South in 2022, requesting he only be identified by his surname due to fears of reprisals against his family left in the North.
“These soldiers who left home for a fight there have been brainwashed and are truly ready to sacrifice themselves for Kim Jong Un,” he added, referring to the reclusive North Korean leader.
Kim, introduced to Reuters by Seoul-based human rights group NK Imprisonment Victims’ Family Association, said he had worked for North Korea’s military in Russia for about seven years up until 2021 on construction projects to earn foreign currency for the regime.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 15, 2025-Ausgabe von The Independent.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 15, 2025-Ausgabe von The Independent.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
United boosted by lucky victory but remain flawed
“They were lucky to win tonight,” Marco Silva said after Fulham’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester United.
Second Australian Open title in a row for Sinner
Zverev says rival in 'different universe' after straight sets loss
GOING ORGANIC
The Independent's expert Rosamund Hall explores if grapes grown without pesticides are all they are cracked up to be
Peace deal only chance’ to free hostages, say families
Those waiting for relatives and friends to come home after being held in Gaza urge Israel and Hamas to honour ceasefire
Presence of Zelensky ally at inauguration shows Trump backs Ukraine, say insiders
Concerns that Donald Trump may be prepared to ditch America’s support for Ukraine and president Volodymyr Zelensky are wrong, insiders have claimed.
The rise, fall and rise of an actor too good to be ignored
As Adrien Brody mounts a comeback courtesy of ambitious drama ‘The Brutalist', Louis Chilton explores why the Oscar winner endured years of cinematic Siberia after 'The Pianist'
Leicester outsmart Spurs as Postecoglou under pressure
Two goals in four second-half minutes helped Leicester earn a first Premier League win since 3 December with a 2-1 victory at Tottenham to pile more pressure on Ange Postecoglou.
How Trump’s tech bros sucked the life out of Texas
A new broligarchy’ of the super-rich has emerged in the US but it is the ordinary citizens and the cities they live in who will suffer from unrestrained growth, warns Alex Hannaford
China pours tens of millions into the top UK universities
Top British universities have received tens of millions of pounds from Chinese organisations, The Independent can reveal, as experts warn the UK is increasingly becoming a target for Beijing as it looks to increase its global influence and stifle criticism.
If Russian spies are in UK waters, we have to respond
There have been strong words from Defence Secretary John Healey after a British submarine had to warn off a Russian spy ship in UK waters. His message for Russia was: “We know what you are doing.