The first clashes between Ukrainian forces and North Korean troops took place in the Kyiv-controlled Kursk region in Russia on October 25, according to sources available to Jonas Ohman, head of the prominent Lithuanian Blue/Yellow NGO.

  • RattlerSix@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    My mental stereotype of north koreans might be wrong but I picture them as hicks who’ve never even seen a computer or smart phone. Imagine being that backwards and being thrown into a cutting esge drone war

    • Something Burger 🍔@jlai.lu
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      2 months ago

      North Koreans have smartphones. They are heavily locked down Androids with access to government apps and websites only.

      • telllos@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        You’re very wrong. Those are official phone they can have.

        But there is also a lot of contreband and trafficking across the border. They have all kind of stuff.

        I remember also seeing a documentary that explained that they are also quite aware of what is going on outside. The big difference was the pace at which news travels.

        • spongebue@lemmy.world
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          2 months ago

          Do you happen to remember the name of that documentary? I saw the Vice specials from a really long time ago, but they seem to have gone through a much more controlled experience that wouldn’t see what you describe. Heck, I think what I saw predates smartphones taking over the world.

          • telllos@lemmy.world
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            2 months ago

            I’ve watched really too many of them, I really can’t remember. It was probably one about the border with China.

            This one is a fascinating documentary about a father in Japan, pro North Korea who sent his 3 sons to live in NK after the war.

            There is another one I enjoyed it’s the episode from the departure (one of my fav travel doc)

    • catloaf@lemm.ee
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      2 months ago

      On the ground, war hasn’t changed since WWII. It doesn’t matter to the target if the bomber is piloted or not.

  • brucethemoose@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    I wonder how this is being portrayed inside Russia?

    I mean… did the public look on North Korea very favorably before the war?

      • brucethemoose@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        Seems like a hard secret to keep, even for Russia.

        I’m guessing state media just downplays it? But what do they say? Like, do they just very quickly mention assistance from Korea (not even specifying North/South) in a blip and move on to the next blurb? Is there a longer justification?

        Or do they keep it a secret and tell soldiers to keep their mouths shut?

        I am morbidly interested in the propaganda aspect.

        • snooggums@lemmy.world
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          2 months ago

          I expect they do the same thing as they do about how the war is going. Blatantly lie and say all other sources of information are the real liars.

          Disinformation!

            • snooggums@lemmy.world
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              2 months ago

              Russian media will most likely not even bring it up, but if they feel they need to they will lie and say no NK soldiers are fighting in Ukraine.

              You know, the obvious lie.

    • OwlPaste@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      According to some intercepts (released by Ukraine), ru soldiers were wondering what to do with NK troops.

      • brucethemoose@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        No surprise there. Russia’s command structure seems like a disaster based on what I read from the ISW.

    • ThePowerOfGeek@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      I expect Russian media is framing this as part of a grand alliance consisting of the ‘good’ half of the world. Lots of countries. The best countries. Sooo many! You know… Russia, North Korea, Belarus, China (they are soooo close to sending troops guys, we promise!), ‘Chechnyans’… Some Moldovan sycophantic trolls… Umm… Yeah.

    • Boxscape@lemmy.sdf.org
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      2 months ago

      But nowhere near the last.

      Don’t underestimate them! I mean, have you seen how many medals NK generals have?! Lul 😏

      • ThePowerOfGeek@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago
        • One medal for bootlicking Kim Jong Il
        • One medal for bootlicking Kim Jong Un
        • One medal for kicking 100 starving peasants
        • One medal for siking Trump when Donald tried to shake his hand
        • One medal for sending a trash balloon over the border to the South
        • One medal for brushing his teeth
        • One medal for eating caviar
        • One medal for dissing Blackpink
        • One medal for being in the choir for this rendition
        • One medal for losing the dialup modem passwords
        • One medal for finding them
        • One medal to rule them all, and in the darkness bind them
        • neidu2@feddit.nl
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          2 months ago

          If I remember correctly, NK generals inherit the medals of their father, so there’s probably a medal from the Korean war 70 years ago in there, as well as for any anniversaries thereof.