Official diplomatic statements or news reports

Ukraine Claims North Korean Soldiers Fighting for Russia Carry Fake IDs from Republic of Tuva, 1,700 Miles from Pyongyang

Dec 25, 2024, 12:52 AM

Ukrainian military sources have reported that North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces were issued fake military documents featuring Russian names and birthplaces. This revelation comes amid allegations from Kyiv that Russia is attempting to obscure the involvement of foreign fighters on the battlefield. Additionally, Ukrainian special forces have discovered the body of a soldier purported to be North Korean, who possessed identification documents from the Republic of Tuva, located over 1,700 miles from Pyongyang. This soldier was also noted to have written in perfect Cyrillic, raising further questions about their true identity. The situation has been compounded by the emergence of a handwritten letter from a deceased North Korean soldier, which expresses sentiments of longing for family and friends while serving in Russia. The letter begins with a greeting to a comrade on their birthday and concludes with well-wishes for health and happiness.