North Korean soldiers sent to bolster Russia’s forces are resorting to extreme measures. One recently detonated a grenade and blew himself up to avoid getting captured by Ukrainian troops.

Two captured North Korean soldiers were questioned about fighting with Russian forces against Ukraine. And NBC News' Janis Mackey Frayer spoke with former North Korean soldiers now in exile about the brutal conditions they found serving in the country's army.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is willing to release North Korean soldiers captured by Ukraine in the Kursk region of Russia in exchange for Ukrainian soldiers being held captive in Russia.

Ukraine has found “irrefutable evidence” of North Korea’s involvement in Russia’s war against his country, president Volodymyr Zelensky said this week as he announced the capture of two North Korean soldiers.

North Korean troops stationed in Russia’s Kursk region have reportedly been instructed to commit suicide rather than risk being captured.

The South Korean intelligence service has released further reports about North Korea's involvement in the war in Ukraine. According to these reports, North Korean soldiers fighting in the Kursk region have been instructed to commit suicide if captured by Ukrainian forces.