Additional Coverage:
- A stick-figure drawing in a North Korean soldier’s diary showed how Pyongyang’s troops wanted to use each other as drone ‘bait’ (newsbreak.com)
Ukraine Releases Excerpts of North Korean Soldier’s Diary
Ukraine has released excerpts from a diary allegedly written by a North Korean soldier fighting in Russia. The diary entries provide insights into North Korea’s battlefield tactics and the motivations of its troops.
Tactics Against Drones and Artillery
The diary includes a stick-figure drawing depicting a strategy to lure and shoot down drones. It suggests using a comrade as “bait” to draw the drone close enough for others to take it down. The soldier also writes about avoiding artillery strikes by dispersing into small groups and hiding in the location of previous hits.
Personal Musings and Confessions
Other diary entries reveal the soldier’s personal thoughts and experiences. He writes about longing for home, his admiration for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and his class struggles. The diary also includes a confession of stealing items from Russian allies, for which he was caught.
Western Concerns
The diary raises concerns in the West about North Korea’s growing involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Experts believe Pyongyang may gain valuable lessons from the war, particularly in drone warfare and fighting against Western equipment.
North Korea’s Reinforcements and Russia’s Support
North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia, serving as a source of manpower for Moscow’s infantry assaults. In return, Russia is providing North Korea with economic support, technology, and food.
Ukraine’s Efforts to Expose North Korea’s Role
Ukraine has been actively trying to highlight North Korea’s direct involvement in the war. President Zelenskyy recently published images of alleged North Korean soldiers captured in Kursk. Ukraine believes that around 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded in the conflict.