Ukraine Captures Two North Korean Soldiers in Kursk on January 9, Offers Exchange for POWs

Jan 14, 2025, 04:34 PM

Ukrainian forces captured two North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian troops in Russia's Kursk border region on January 9, as announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine has found 'irrefutable evidence' of North Korea's involvement in the conflict. One of the captured soldiers attempted self-detonation by shouting 'Kim Jong Un General!' and trying to explode a grenade, but was shot by Ukrainian forces. The soldiers were interrogated with the help of a Korean translator, revealing that they believed they were on a training exercise, not fighting in Ukraine. Zelenskyy has offered to exchange these soldiers for Ukrainian prisoners of war held by Russia, and has indicated that South Korea is prepared to accept the soldiers if they wish to defect.