The grim reality: North Korean soldiers used as human bait in Ukraine

UPDATED: Jan 13, 2025 20:34 IST

War has always been synonymous with tragedy, but a revelation from the Ukrainian battlefield sheds new light on just how inhumane the conflict in Eastern Europe has become. A diary recovered by Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces unveils a chilling tactic used by Russian forces in collaboration with North Korean troops.

North Korean troops as human bait

The diary, reportedly belonging to a fallen North Korean soldier, details a harrowing strategy: soldiers being deployed as bait to draw out Ukrainian drones. Sketches in the diary illustrate the horrifying practice—unarmed troops standing in the open to lure drones, while their comrades hide, waiting to strike. This tactic, simple yet brutal, underscores the expendable nature of these conscripts in Russia’s arsenal.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, these troops—many of them teenagers—are not trained for modern warfare. Instead, they are sent to the front lines as cannon fodder, testing Ukrainian defences ahead of Russian special forces. The toll has been devastating. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky estimates that 4,000 North Koreans have been killed or injured in just one month. U.S. intelligence corroborates the grim statistics, noting that over 1,000 North Korean soldiers perished in the last week of December alone.

A glimpse into their lives

Beyond battlefield tactics, the diary paints a poignant picture of the soldiers’ personal lives, revealing their inner turmoil and misplaced patriotism. One soldier writes:

“I grew up in the bosom of a gracious party, studying to my heart's content without worrying about anything in this world. There is more unknown love than love that is recognised and accepted. I did not know how to respond to the happiness that surrounded me.”

This sentiment is juxtaposed with the soldier’s growing awareness of the cost of his loyalty:

“The sins I have committed are unforgivable, but my homeland has given me a path to rebirth, to a new start in life. Now I have no choice but to regain the trust I once had.”

The soldier, reflecting on his commitment to the North Korean regime, also wrote about his readiness to sacrifice everything:

“I will go to the front line in this operation, and I will unconditionally carry out the orders of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Kim Jong-un, even if it costs me my life. I will show the whole world the invincible courage and self-sacrifice of the red commanders of Kim Jong-un.”

The diary of another soldier also recounts moments of camaraderie and sorrow, such as celebrating a comrade’s birthday in the trenches:

“When you want to wish your friend a happy birthday, but instead of a party, you're holding an AK in a trench far from home—and the candles are replaced with 5.56mm Ukrainian rounds.”

The price of misguided allegiance

In a separate incident, Ukrainian forces recently captured two North Korean soldiers. Videos released by Ukrainian intelligence show the men, visibly injured and disoriented. They revealed that they believed they were being sent to Russia for training, not to fight. President Zelensky has offered to exchange these soldiers for Ukrainian prisoners of war held in Russia, putting the spotlight on Pyongyang’s controversial involvement.

Why is North Korea supporting Russia?

This alliance stems from a military assistance deal: North Korea provides troops and ammunition, while Russia supplies fuel and advanced satellite technology. However, this arrangement comes at a catastrophic cost for the North Korean soldiers—young men who are dying far from home for a war they didn’t choose.

The price of war

As battles rage on in regions like Kursk, Ukrainian forces continue to hold strategic ground, potentially to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin into peace talks. These discussions, however, may take a surprising turn with the upcoming inauguration of Donald Trump as U.S. president—a development that could shift the geopolitical landscape.

The diary’s haunting words serve as a reminder of the true cost of war. In one passage, the soldier reflected on his belief in the regime and the sacrifices he was willing to make:

“I will unconditionally carry out the orders of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Kim Jong-un, even if it costs me my life. I will show the whole world the invincible courage and self-sacrifice of the red commanders of Kim Jong-un.”

These poignant and disturbing accounts highlight the tragic reality of war, where loyalty is exploited, and human lives are reduced to mere pawns in a game of power. When lives are used as bait, it begs the question: how far are these leaders willing to go?

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