Soldiers holding chunk of enemy territory in Kursk have been learning Korean phrases and are unconcerned by threat from reinforcements

Vitalii Ovcharenko, a Ukrainian soldier, has been learning a new language: Korean. “I’ve picked up a few phrases. They are: ‘Hands up, drop your weapon and come to us slowly,’” he said. “Also: ‘Throw off your body armour and helmet.’”

Ovcharenko has been mugging up with the help of a three-page printed guide. It lists words in Ukrainian, their Korean equivalent, and a helpful transliteration.