Ukraine this week released a video of two North Korean fighters taken prisoner by its forces in Russia's Kursk region. In an interview with RFE/RL, soldiers involved in the North Koreans' capture described them as experienced fighters who feared repercussions against their families back home.

North Korean soldiers are helping Russia in the war against Ukraine. Evidence suggests they resort to self-detonation and suicide to avoid being captured. Ukrainian forces found a North Korean soldier detonate a grenade on himself.