Zelenskyy: Russia Burning Faces of Dead North Korean Soldiers

(Kyiv) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of attempting to conceal the deaths of North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine by burning their faces. This alleged act is the latest in a series of efforts by Russia to obscure the presence and losses of North Korean personnel in the conflict.

President Zelenskyy conveyed this information via his Telegram channel, expressing his dismay at what he described as further evidence of Russian cynicism. He emphasized that this is not an isolated incident, citing previous instances where Russia forbade North Korean soldiers from showing their faces during training exercises and destroyed any video footage documenting their presence.

Zelenskyy stated that Russia not only deploys North Korean soldiers in assaults against Ukrainian positions but also actively attempts to hide their casualties. He described the alleged burning of faces as a particularly egregious act, demonstrating a profound lack of respect for human life.

The President asserted that there is no justification for North Korean soldiers to be fighting and dying in Ukraine for the interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He condemned Russia’s actions as a display of contempt for basic human decency, even in death.

Zelenskyy called upon the international community to increase pressure on Russia to cease such acts of cruelty. He stressed the need for greater scrutiny of Russia’s conduct in the conflict and urged global leaders to hold Moscow accountable for its actions.

Prior to this latest accusation, Zelenskyy had reported on the losses sustained by North Korean soldiers fighting on the Russian side. He indicated that Ukrainian defence forces and intelligence agencies were actively gathering information on the true extent of these losses.

Zelenskyy’s report included details from Chief Commander Syrysky on the frontline situation, particularly in the Donetsk region and areas involved in the Kursk operation. The Commander-in-Chief provided updates on the involvement of North Korean soldiers in battles alongside the Russian army, detailing the destruction of these forces.

Zelenskyy noted that, according to preliminary information, Russia was actively attempting to conceal the losses of North Korean personnel. He reiterated that Ukrainian forces are defending against these foreign fighters, despite the absence of any legitimate reason for their presence in the conflict.

Zelenskyy attributed the presence of North Korean soldiers in Ukraine to what he termed “Putin’s madness,” which he believes is driving the ongoing conflict. He affirmed Ukraine’s commitment to defending its territory and sovereignty.