First POWs captured by Ukraine lead to suicides among North Korean soldiers in Russia.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian President, claims that North Korean and Russian soldiers are executing wounded Korean troops to avoid capture.
This narrative explores the topic of suicide. In case you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, kindly contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
According to a report by Reuters on Tuesday, North Korean soldiers fighting in Russia's Kursk region against Ukrainian forces have started using extreme tactics to avoid capture, such as committing suicide.
Ukrainian special forces discovered a North Korean soldier who had survived a battle and was found dead in the snowy terrain. The soldier had detonated a grenade, killing himself but not injuring the nearby Ukrainian troops.
Ukrainian forces captured two North Korean prisoners of war just days after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that this was the first time such a thing had happened.
In a Saturday address to the nation, Zelenskyy announced the capture of North Korean and Russian forces, stating that it was a difficult task and alleging that they finished off their wounded Korean troops to prevent capture.
Russia has been accused by Ukraine of issuing military IDs to North Korean soldiers in an attempt to hide evidence of foreign troops supporting Moscow in the conflict, despite Western countries, including the U.S., confirming Pyongyang's deployment of forces to Russia for several months.
An estimated 11,000 North Korean soldiers have been stationed in Kursk to defend against Ukrainian advancement, with as many as 12,000 deployed to Russia.
Since mid-November, North Korean troops in Kursk have suffered approximately 3,000 casualties, according to both Zelenskyy and South Korean intelligence.
On Sunday, Zelenskyy posted a video of two North Korean soldiers being treated and questioned after being captured in the front-line fight.
One soldier claimed he was unaware that he and his troops were being deployed to fight against Ukraine on behalf of Russia, and instead thought they were participating in training exercises.
On Jan. 5, one of the soldiers was discovered in a dugout after being found in an active operation and witnessing North Korean soldiers dying.
North Korean troops are not adequately prepared for the war they are currently engaged in, according to Western intelligence. Zelenskyy stated on Sunday that it is only a matter of time before Ukrainian troops capture more of them.
"Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is prepared to release North Korean soldiers if they can arrange an exchange for Ukrainian prisoners being held in Russia. However, for those North Korean soldiers who do not wish to return, there may be other options available."
Reuters contributed to this report.
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