Recent videos from the Ukrainian front line show a large number of North Korean soldiers entering combat, only to be destroyed by Ukrainian artillery fire. These North Korean soldiers are from the 12th Army of North Korea, which was formed to counter the Chinese Communist Party!
The latest videos reveal that North Korean forces have joined the battle in Kursk, Russia, with dozens of North Korean infantry scattered across the battlefield, clearly visible against the snowy backdrop. This marks the first time large-scale North Korean infantry combat has been seen on a battlefield. In a subsequent video, scattered Russian and North Korean soldiers fleeing the battlefield appear, likely having endured the onslaught of Ukrainian artillery. Another video shows a group of over a dozen North Korean soldiers gathering in the forest in Kursk. There have even been images online showing a significant presence of North Korean-Russian soldiers, but due to sensitivity, those are not shared here.
These videos were shot by Ukrainian drones, capturing North Korean soldiers advancing on foot in open snowy terrain without the support of tanks, artillery, or aircraft.
This is starkly different from the Russian advances we have seen before. In Russian offensives, there is usually a significant presence of mechanized units including tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, etc. If infantry is used, they advance along forest lines between fields, rather than grouping together and attacking in open areas as seen in the North Korean case.
Despite sending over 10,000 soldiers to reinforce Russia, North Korea has not provided heavy weaponry such as armored vehicles and tanks to these soldiers for two main reasons. Firstly, North Korea’s own supply of heavy weaponry is limited with their main tanks being Chinese-produced Type 59 tanks, close to 1,000 in number, and over 1,600 Soviet-produced T-54 tanks. These tanks, outdated upon their introduction, lack modern capabilities in power systems, fire control systems, and targeting systems.
While these tanks may be outdated, they remain the backbone of North Korea’s armored forces. In tense situations on the Korean Peninsula, they are reluctant to provide tanks to Russia. With Russia’s own tanks facing significant losses, having lost thousands over the past three years, even resorting to using antiquated tanks like the T-54 seen in the Ukrainian battlefield, it’s clear that Russia’s regular army itself lacks enough tanks, let alone provide them to North Korea.
Ukrainian intelligence agency has released the latest information that North Korean forces are set to attack Ukrainian positions in the Kursk region. Meanwhile, Ukrainian defense officials have stated that while North Korean soldiers are indeed preparing for combat within Russia’s borders, rumors about the invincibility of North Korean soldiers have been exaggerated; they will be eliminated just like everyone else.
Some Ukrainian frontline soldiers claim that North Korean soldiers participated in combat a week prior. An officer from the 24th “Aydar” Assault Battalion wrote in a Telegram message that North Korean soldiers are well-trained, fierce, ruthless, and familiar with weapons from the Soviet era. However, the officer also pointed out that Russian commanders do not fully understand the true combat capability of North Korean forces, simply deploying them as cannon fodder to push forward continuously.
Ukrainians have expressed that North Koreans are not prepared to face drone attacks like the Russians and lack coordination.
In a recent report by Forbes, it was discovered that the North Korean soldiers sent to Ukraine, some of whom belong to special forces, primarily come from the 12th Army of North Korea. The formation of the 12th Army is interesting as it was actually established to counter the Communist Party of China.
According to the Chosun Ilbo, after the execution of “Minister of Munitions” Chang Chang-sok in 2013, China no longer saw North Korea as its asset, leading to a deterioration in their relationship. North Korea views (communist) China as an enemy, especially after China began deploying troops at the North Korean border following North Korea’s third nuclear test in 2013. The so-called 12th Army is specifically used by Kim Jong-un to prevent Chinese troops from crossing the border, established in 2010 and stationed in the Sino-Russian border area. These forces mainly consist of mechanized and mountain infantry, with the 42nd Armored Infantry Brigade, the 43rd Ski Infantry Brigade, and the 934th Artillery Brigade under their command.
An article from the South Korean “Daily Chosun” states that the 12th Army is stationed in Ryanggang-do, a border area in northeastern North Korea adjacent to China. The local people of Ryanggang-do mockingly refer to the 12th Army as the “beggar army” or gangsters, reflecting severe economic crises within North Korea with food and military supplies being scarce. These troops engage in theft and robbery, and locals flee upon encountering them, with some resorting to violence against residents.
Insiders reveal that soldiers of the 12th Army suffer from malnutrition due to food shortages, leading to diseases like tuberculosis. In response, North Korea established a temporary tuberculosis sanatorium in Sinsu, where 35% of occupants are military officers facing malnutrition-related illnesses like tuberculosis. The dire circumstances within the army are evident.
Contrastingly, the Border Security Forces in Ryanggang-do, stationed in the same border region, are well-equipped as they control local smuggling channels, amassing significant funds. The soldiers of the 12th Army, lacking proper provisions, resort to unlawful activities, causing disappointment even among locals who do not desire their children to join the 12th Army. Consequently, Kim Jong-un dispatched these soldiers to the Russian battlefield, where at least, they can receive adequate food.
With these inferior resources, North Korean soldiers in the Kursk battlefield may not provide substantial assistance to Russia. Several reasons contribute to this: the lack of heavy weaponry resources indicated earlier, the inadequacy in coordinated combat capabilities such as joint infantry-tank maneuvers, and the absence of modern combat tools like drones. Drones have played a crucial role in the war; Russian forces without drones faced difficulties due to the use of Turkish TB2 drones by Ukraine against Russian armored units, prompting Russia to acquire various drones subsequently. North Korean soldiers, unfamiliar with drones and modern technology, lack the capability for coordinated combat.
Although North Korean soldiers display resilience, their lack of heavy weapon support, coordination abilities, and familiarity with modern combat tactics indicate they may merely serve as cannon fodder in the Kursk battlefield.
On the 7th of December at 10:30 PM, Syrian Prime Minister Jallal contacted President Assad for the last time, expressing the severe situation and the advancing opposition forces. Assad responded, “Let’s see what we can do tomorrow. Let’s talk tomorrow.” Repeating “tomorrow” twice, Assad swiftly disconnected, surprising Jallal with his sudden escape.
With the downfall of the Syrian Assad regime, Assad’s final moments were divulged by Reuters. Assad maintained secrecy about his escape plan, even convening a national defense meeting before his flight, discussing the battlefield situation with 30 senior military and intelligence leaders. During the meeting, he reassured them about impending Russian military aid and encouraged resilience against the enemy’s onslaught.
That same day, he informed his Presidential Office Director that he would return home after work. However, Assad instead headed to Damascus Airport, indicating an unexpected departure. Furthermore, he instructed his media manager to write a speech at his residence that evening. On reaching Assad’s home, the manager found no one present.
Analysts noted that Assad not only avoided resistance but also deceived his generals and even his brothers. His brother Maher, unaware of Assad’s escape plan, hurriedly flew to Iraq after Assad’s escape and later traveled to Russia.
As the two brothers attempted to flee to Lebanon by car, they were ambushed midway, leading to one death and another severely wounded. Meanwhile, Assad fled on December 8. Disabling communication devices on his plane, Assad traveled covertly to Russia-controlled Hmeimim Air Base, then boarded a Russian plane for Moscow. His wife and three children had already fled to Russia and awaited him in Moscow.
Denied military support by Russia and Iran, Assad sought refuge under their protection. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov mediated talks with Turkey and Qatar to ensure Assad’s safe exit from Syria. Hence, Assad first flew to Russia’s military base and then continued to Moscow aboard a Russian plane with a guarantee of non-interference from Turkish or anti-government forces.
Comparing Assad’s actions with Zelensky’s handling during the Russian invasion paints a contrasting picture. Zelensky faced a more challenging situation as Russian military power dwarfed Ukrainian resistance, with forces targeting the capital, Kyiv. Russia initiated comprehensive information warfare, spreading rumors online about Zelensky’s alleged escape from Kyiv to sow panic.
In response, Zelensky recorded daily videos to dispel these rumors, asserting his presence in Kyiv and defiance against the invaders without significant military aid from Western countries. Western nations hesitated to provide heavy weaponry to Ukraine, offering limited pre-war assistance such as anti-tank weapons like the Javelin missile, NLAW missile, and some Stinger air defense missile systems from the U.S., Sweden, and the U.K.
Zelensky’s predicament was far more dire than Assad’s. Ukraine stood alone against the Russian invasion, without direct military deployments from the West. Amidst speculations by some military experts that Kyiv would fall within three days, Zelensky’s resilience and self-reliance enabled Ukraine to withstand the Russian offensive in 2022.
Even on February 26, just days after the war began, the U.S. offered Zelensky the option to evacuate to another country. Zelensky firmly declared his focus on the battle, needing ammunition rather than an escape route.
Zelensky’s resolute decision prevented Ukraine’s imminent collapse. Had he chosen to flee, the situation could’ve quickly deteriorated, akin to Syria or Afghanistan. Russia might have occupied Ukraine entirely within a week, installing a puppet government and eventually annexing the country through various means.
In March 2024, Assad’s critique of Zelensky as a comedian outperforming a national leader while in reality, Assad himself succumbed to a comedic outcome, dethroned and becoming a mere performer. Assad, supported by Russia and Iran, deceived generals and his siblings, proving unworthy compared to Zelensky.
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