Official announcements from Ukrainian government or international diplomatic channels

Ukraine Captures Two North Korean Soldiers Fighting for Russia, Zelenskyy Offers Journalist Access

Jan 12, 2025, 04:06 PM

Ukraine has reportedly captured two North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine's Kursk region. One of the captured soldiers, born in 2005, claimed he was misled into believing he was sent for training, not combat, and had received minimal training before deployment. Ukrainian forces have recovered diaries from deceased North Korean soldiers, revealing their tactics and experiences. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that more North Korean soldiers may be captured and that journalists will be granted access to the prisoners, highlighting North Korea's involvement in supporting Russia's military efforts. Ukrainian forces are distributing leaflets in Korean encouraging North Korean troops to surrender. This marks the first confirmed instance of direct North Korean troop involvement in the conflict, which Ukraine views as evidence of Russia's reliance on foreign military assistance.