Ukrainian military intelligence has intercepted communications suggesting deep frustration among Russian soldiers toward newly arrived North Korean troops, who have reportedly been deployed as allies in Ukraine.
Just Standing There
According to details published by Adevărul on October 25, 2024, Russian soldiers were recorded making disparaging remarks about the North Koreans, at one point referring to them as “damn Chinese.”
These intercepts provide rare insights into the logistical and cultural challenges Russia faces in attempting to integrate North Korean personnel on the battlefield.
In the intercepted exchanges, Russian soldiers express bewilderment over the North Koreans’ presence and question how to manage the newcomers effectively.
One soldier, describing an encounter with a North Korean soldier, recounted:
“He was just standing there, wide-eyed, like... what the hell? They’re here, and what are we supposed to do with them?”
Frustrated With Directive
Another soldier expressed frustration with a requirement to assign three Russian officers to every 30 North Korean troops, a directive that left them wondering where they would find enough experienced personnel to meet this demand:
“Where are we supposed to get these officers? We’ll have to pull them out of thin air,” the soldier reportedly said.
This influx of North Korean forces marks a notable escalation in Russia’s military strategy, adding complexity to an already challenging conflict.
According to reports from the South Korean intelligence service last week, North Korea has committed up to 12,000 troops to support Russia’s actions against Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed receiving intelligence on the deployment, stating that these forces could begin operations on October 27-28.
“This is a significant step in Russia’s escalation that matters,” Zelensky commented, addressing concerns that North Korean troops could further intensify the conflict in Ukraine.
