Overview

• Ukraine confirmed that severely injured North Korean soldiers captured during combat have died in captivity due to their critical conditions.
• Approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to support Russia in its war against Ukraine, with reports of over 3,000 killed or wounded so far.
• Ukrainian and U.S. officials describe the deployment of North Korean troops as 'disposable,' with many sent into hopeless battles with little training or protection.
• Fear of reprisals against their families in North Korea may prevent captured soldiers from surrendering, according to U.S. intelligence assessments.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on China to exert influence on North Korea to prevent further involvement in the conflict.