"All personnel died": DPRK prisoner tells how he got to war against Ukraine

A prisoner of war sergeant from North Korea said that he fell into the hands of Ukrainian soldiers during his first battle in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation. On January 8, two assault groups of the DPRK GRU (seven soldiers in each) launched an offensive, and as a result, all personnel, except for the prisoner, were killed.

The mercenary said this during interrogation. The information was shared on Telegram by Roman Bochkala, coordinator of the NGO Stop Corruption.

The prisoner's name is Lee Jong Nam, born on November 30, 1999. He lives in Pyongyang. He was captured near the village of Orlovka, Kursk region, Russia, by paratroopers of the 95th Airborne Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Lee Jong Nam identified himself as a sniper scout of the 2nd group of the 3rd platoon of the 3rd company of the 5th battalion of the GRU of the Korean People's Army. He has been serving since 2016.

What the prisoner said about the service of North Koreans in Russia

They are brought to the territory of the Russian Federation by sea. In the combat zone, soldiers live in dugouts for seven people. Communication is maintained with the help of one radio station for two soldiers.

The DPRK's armed forces include assault units – the 91st and 94th separate brigades of the Special Forces. To compensate for losses, new mercenaries regularly arrive at the front.

Lee Jong Nam claims that there are allegedly about 2,500 DPRK GRU servicemen in Russia.

On the territory of the Russian Federation, he and his colleagues were given AK-12 assault rifles. As for heavy weapons, Kim Jong-Un's army has 60 mm mortars brought from the DPRK.

According to the prisoner, his colleagues have a high morale, they want to take part in combat operations, and no one refused to follow a combat order. Heavy losses among North Koreans do not affect their morale.

Command of the DPRK KPA:

– Commander of the 5th Battalion – Lieutenant Colonel Kim Moon Gi;

– Commander of the 3rd Company of the 5th Battalion – Captain Shim Oh Song (deceased);

– Commander of the 2nd Group of the 3rd Platoon of the 3rd Company of the 5th Battalion – Lieutenant Bang Ho Sop.

As OBOZ.UA wrote:

– At the end of December 2024, the defenders of Ukraine captured the first DPRK soldier, he was provided with medical care, but died the next day as a result of serious injuries.

– Later, South Korean intelligence confirmed the capture of two DPRK soldiers by the Ukrainian military in the Kursk region on January 9.

– President Volodymyr Zelenskyy showed a video of the interrogation of the first North Korean soldiers captured by the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

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