North Korea Treats Hundreds of Wounded Russian Soldiers for Free

Hundreds of Russian soldiers injured in the war against Ukraine underwent rehabilitation in North Korean sanatoriums and medical facilities, Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora revealed in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta on February 9.

Matsegora described the treatment of Russian soldiers in North Korea as a “vivid example of the fraternal attitude” of North Koreans towards Russians.

He also noted that in the summer of 2024, the children of Russian soldiers killed in the war were hosted at Songdowon, which he called “the best children’s recreation center in North Korea,” located on the coast of the Sea of Japan.

“Treatment, care, food—everything related to their stay in North Korea was completely free,” Matsegora said.

“When we offered to reimburse at least part of their expenses, our friends were genuinely offended and asked us never to do that again.”

The ambassador did not provide further details about the rehabilitation program for Russian soldiers in North Korea.

This announcement comes in the wake of a comprehensive strategic partnership signed between Russia and North Korea in June 2024.

The agreement, ratified by Russia’s State Duma in October and by North Korea in November, includes provisions for a military alliance between the two nations.

Earlier, reports emerged that since late December, ballistic missiles launched by Russian forces at Ukraine shown a marked improvement in accuracy, now hitting their intended targets within a range of 50 to 100 meters, according to two senior Ukrainian sources.