Ukrainecast

The Ukrainian fighting North Koreans in Russia

Jan 14, 2025
Zanny Minton Beddoes, the Editor-in-chief of The Economist, shares her insights on the economic consequences of sanctions on Russia. She discusses a Ukrainian officer's experience fighting North Korean troops in the Kursk region, revealing the complexities of war and the moral dilemmas involved. The conversation also explores the implications of a potential second Trump presidency on U.S. support for Ukraine and peace negotiations, along with the vulnerabilities facing the Russian economy amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.
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ANECDOTE

Captured North Korean Soldiers

  • Two North Korean soldiers were captured in Russia's Kursk region, where Ukraine has launched an incursion.
  • One had facial injuries preventing speech, the other had bandaged hands and wrists.
INSIGHT

Geneva Convention and POW Photos

  • Releasing POW photos isn't explicitly banned by the Geneva Convention, but it should protect them from public curiosity.
  • Ukraine likely released the photos as evidence of Russia's coalition with North Korea and Iran.
ANECDOTE

North Korean Fighting Tactics

  • A Ukrainian commander, Serhii, describes North Korean soldiers in Kursk as brutal, disciplined, and willing to sacrifice their lives.
  • They frequently commit suicide upon facing capture to prevent revealing North Korean involvement.
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