The Ukrainian “I Want To Live” project aims to persuade North Korean soldiers in Russia to surrender, having already facilitated the process for some 350 Russian troops.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ukrainian military forces are producing leaflets and videos to encourage North Korean soldiers to surrender.
Responding to news that thousands of North Korean troops joined Moscow’s forces in areas like the Kursk border region, a department within the Ukrainian intelligence service is trying to convince Pyongyang’s forces to leave the front line.
The “I Want To Live” project was created in 2022 after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It was initially aimed at Russian soldiers who did not want to participate in the war.
Since being launched, 350 Russian soldiers have surrendered to the Ukrainian side through the project.
Ukrainian intelligence drops flyers showing enemy troops how to surrender.
“Not everyone wants to fight,” said Vitaliy Matvienko, a volunteer at the project, “We know very well the living conditions in North Korea. Therefore, many may see it as a chance to escape the regime and go to another country.”
Around 10,000 North Korean soldiers are believed to be stationed in Russia’s border region of Kursk.
Ukraine’s General Staff says North Korean military personnel have already participated in combat against Ukraine’s defence forces.