The Most Extreme Way to Avoid Capture? Wait Until You Hear What He Did!

A recent encounter on the battlefield left Ukrainian paratroopers stunned, as a captured North Korean soldier tried to evade them in an unconventional and dramatic way. According to members of the 95th Separate Air Assault Polissia Brigade, the soldier ran headfirst into a concrete pillar, apparently to knock himself out, as they approached him for capture.

This peculiar incident unfolded in the Kursk region after a battle had subsided. In a video released by the brigade, three paratroopers shared how their drone identified the lone North Korean amidst the aftermath of the assault. When they approached him, the soldier, armed with a grenade, a knife, and a small stash of food, appeared confused and unresponsive to commands in Ukrainian, Russian, or English.

“With gestures, we showed him what to do,” explained one paratrooper.

The soldier’s injuries were evident—his jaw was wrapped in bandages, and one of his hands appeared wounded. At first, he stayed calm, but his demeanor changed drastically as a vehicle arrived to transport him.

“When we brought him near the road, suddenly he ran headfirst into a concrete pillar at full speed. He hit it very hard and probably passed out,” one paratrooper recalled.

Interestingly, the soldier’s behavior raised suspicions. Another paratrooper speculated that the act might have been staged. “I think he was faking it, trying to get us close so he could grab a weapon and attack us,” he said, noting the unusual way the soldier fell backward rather than forward.

Despite the struggle, the paratroopers managed to secure him and transport him from the front lines. Once in their custody, the soldier was given food and, surprisingly, allowed to watch romance films, a request he specifically made.

Tactics That Defy Surrender

The brigade revealed more insights into North Korean forces, describing their fighting style as reminiscent of Soviet-era tactics. An older paratrooper noted, “They try to crush simply with massive numbers.” Unlike Russian forces, which typically attack in small groups, North Koreans reportedly strike in units of six or more.

The paratroopers also highlighted the extreme loyalty and resolve of Pyongyang’s soldiers. “They are not in a mood to surrender,” one soldier stated, sharing stories of wounded North Koreans who detonated explosives to avoid being taken prisoner.

The captured man is believed to be one of two North Korean soldiers whom Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed were taken into custody in early January. Another North Korean, captured in December, reportedly succumbed to his injuries shortly after.

North Korea’s Role in Russia’s War

The presence of North Korean troops in Russia underscores a deepening partnership between Pyongyang and Moscow. Western and South Korean intelligence estimate that 12,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to support Russia’s war efforts, particularly in the contested Kursk region.

This alliance seems to be mutually beneficial. Reports suggest North Korea has received food aid, financial support, and Russian expertise in advanced military technologies in exchange for troops and weaponry. Meanwhile, concerns grow in the West over North Korean soldiers gaining valuable battlefield experience that could bolster Pyongyang’s future military capabilities.

A document reportedly obtained by The Washington Post sheds light on the rigid six-man assault formations employed by North Korean forces, reflecting their outdated strategies. “In modern warfare, where real-time reconnaissance and drone strikes are conducted, failing to disperse combat teams into smaller units of two to three members could lead to significant casualties from enemy drones and artillery,” the document read.

The bizarre story of the North Korean soldier’s capture not only highlights the extreme measures some are willing to take in the chaos of war but also reflects the shifting alliances and strategies shaping this devastating conflict.