Truth is often the first casualty in war.
Efforts to conceal losses and manipulate information are as old as conflict itself. However, recent allegations against Russia have shocked many.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claims that Russian forces are burning the bodies of dead North Korean soldiers to cover up their presence and hide the scale of their losses.
The accusations come as reports grow of North Korean troops supporting Russian operations near the Ukrainian border, according to Ziare.
Forbidden From Showing Faces
Zelensky shared the disturbing claim alongside video evidence on social media.
The footage allegedly shows attempts to destroy the remains of soldiers.
“Even after years of war, when it seemed Russian cynicism could go no further, we see something worse,” Zelensky said.
“Russia is not only using North Korean soldiers to attack Ukrainian positions but is also trying to hide the losses of these people.”
The Ukrainian president explained that Moscow initially worked to keep the deployment of North Korean troops a secret.
“While being trained, they were forbidden from showing their faces. Any video evidence of their presence was erased,” Zelensky revealed.
“And now, after battles with our forces, the Russians are literally burning the faces of dead North Korean soldiers,” he continued.
“This is a demonstration of the contempt that prevails in Russia — contempt for all that is human.”
The allegations have drawn strong reactions internationally. The United States has confirmed that North Korean troops have been deployed near Kursk in Russia.
Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesperson, warned that any move to bring these forces into Ukraine would be seen as a dangerous escalation.
“North Korean soldiers deployed near Kursk are legitimate targets. They joined the war, and as combatants, they are fair targets for Ukraine’s military,” Miller said.
The Pentagon backed these findings. Pat Ryder, a Pentagon spokesperson, stated:
“We believe that North Korean soldiers have participated in combat operations and have suffered losses — both killed and wounded,” though he declined to provide exact figures.
