Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Saturday that Ukrainian forces have captured two North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
In a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Zelenskyy stated that the soldiers, though wounded, were safely transported to Kyiv, where they are now in contact with Ukraine’s Security Service.
“Our soldiers captured North Korean military personnel in the Kursk region. Despite being wounded, they survived and have been transported to Kyiv, where they are now communicating with the Security Service of Ukraine,” Zelenskyy wrote.
Zelenskyy praised Ukraine’s Tactical Group No. 84 of the Special Operations Forces and paratroopers for their successful mission, acknowledging the operation’s complexities. He revealed that Russian forces and North Korean personnel often execute their wounded to conceal evidence of North Korea’s involvement in the conflict.
“This was no easy task. Russian forces and North Korean military personnel usually execute their wounded to erase evidence of North Korea’s role in the war. I am grateful to Tactical Group No. 84 of the Special Operations Forces and our paratroopers who made this capture possible,” Zelenskyy said.
As prisoners of war, the two captured soldiers are receiving medical care. Zelenskyy also instructed the Security Service of Ukraine to grant journalists access to the prisoners to expose North Korea’s involvement in the conflict.
“These two North Korean soldiers are being provided with the necessary medical assistance, like all prisoners of war. I have directed the Security Service of Ukraine to allow journalists access to these prisoners. The world deserves to know the truth about what is happening,” he emphasized.
According to Ukrainian and Western intelligence, approximately 11,000 North Korean troops have been deployed in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces have conducted cross-border incursions since August 2024.
In December 2024, the Ukrainian military reported that North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces were provided with fake military documents listing Russian names and birthplaces, CNN reported.
The capture of these soldiers offers tangible proof of North Korea’s involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, further escalating concerns about the international dimensions of the war.
