Putin’s Disguised North Korean Soldiers: A Tragic Echo of Stalin’s Tactics
Buryats, an indigenous Siberian group, are disproportionately represented among Russian troops fighting in Ukraine, a trend mirroring their participation in the Korean War. This overrepresentation stems from historical factors such as Buryatia’s proximity to North Korea, high concentration of military bases, and economic hardship, making military service attractive. However, the “Buryat” label has become a catch-all term for any Asian-looking Russian soldier in Ukrainian discourse, potentially overstating the actual Buryat involvement in the war. This situation highlights the enduring consequences of historical military deployments and the complexities of ethnic identity in a conflict zone.
John Q. Hosedrinker