‘They will just die uselessly’: Ukrainians ready for North Korean troops joining Russia’s war

Soldiers holding chunk of enemy territory in Kursk have been learning Korean phrases and are unconcerned by threat from reinforcements

Vitalii Ovcharenko, a Ukrainian soldier, has been learning a new language: Korean. “I’ve picked up a few phrases. They are: ‘Hands up, drop your weapon and come to us slowly,’” he said. “Also: ‘Throw off your body armour and helmet.’”

Ovcharenko has been mugging up with the help of a three-page printed guide. It lists words in Ukrainian, their Korean equivalent, and a helpful transliteration.