Kyiv, Ukraine — When Ukrainian soldiers captured two North Korean prisoners of war last month, it provided the first undeniable proof of Pyongyang’s direct involvement in the war against Ukraine. It also shed some light on the mindset and training of the conscripted North Korean soldiers sent to fight Russia’s war a continent away from their home.

North Korean troops fighting for Russia have been pulled from the front line for extra training after crude tactics led to massive casualties.

Russia blasted Ukraine with a massive bombardment, launching 42 missiles and 123 drones in a coordinated assault, marking the first large-scale attack since Jan. 15. Ukrainian air defense forces intercepted 56 drones,

The Russian leadership is exchanging men—many of them previous casualties discharged prematurely from military hospitals—for land.