Misinformation and unverified claims about alleged North Korean troops fighting for Russia in Ukraine have been spreading across social media platforms, adding confusion to an already complex conflict.
According to the Kyiv Post, a user named Intelligence FRONT on X (formerly Twitter) posted two video clips claiming to show a North Korean soldier expressing surprise at the abundant food in Ukraine. “I’m eating in the field. Look at this meat. Big beef, instant noodles,” the post quoted the man as saying. The account describes itself as an independent observer using open-source intelligence (OSINT). However, the Kyiv Post clarified that the individual in the video appears Chinese, not North Korean.
Through its own fact-checking, the Kyiv Post confirmed that the man was indeed eating beef noodles but was speaking Mandarin, not Korean. They pointed out that it’s improbable for a North Korean soldier to be fluent in Mandarin, especially given North Korea’s strict limitations on smartphone and social media access.
While the Kyiv Post couldn’t confirm the original source of the footage, “though it was unable to locate the original source of the video, that it originated from Chinese social media, where some Chinese mercenaries fighting for Russia are frequently seen to have uploaded videos documenting their firsthand experience.”
Moreover, the authenticity of a video purportedly featuring an interview with a lone North Korean soldier who survived after losing all his comrades has been circulating on pro-Ukrainian Telegram channels remains unverified after several days.
Last month, a Chinese mercenary claimed that eight North Korean officers were killed on their first day of deployment to the Ukrainian front. The Kyiv Post emphasized that no supporting evidence has been presented for this assertion.
About these developments, InformNapalm, an international volunteer community that has monitored Russian military activities since the 2014 Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, cautioned that the spread of false information about North Korean troops in Russia could potentially harm Ukraine’s interests.
On Sunday, the organization posted on its Telegram channel that in the past two days alone, approximately 15 individuals have sent photos claiming to show deceased North Korean soldiers in Russian uniforms, along with their military IDs. It continued, adding that various public figures are propagating such unverified claims on social media, labeling them as the first casualties among North Korean troops.
The group further stated that such exaggerated propaganda is unhelpful and counterproductive, criticizing those who disseminate false information for failing to comprehend the potential consequences or deliberately attempting to obscure the truth when factual information emerges.
Most Commented