Ukraine captures two North Korean soldiers in Kursk, Zelenskiy says By Reuters

By Max Hander

(Reuters) – Ukraine captured two North Korean soldiers in Russia’s Kursk region, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday, the first time Ukraine has announced the capture of North Korean soldiers alive since entering the war last fall.

According to Kiev and its Western allies, who initially estimated their numbers at 10,000 or more, North Korean regular troops were drawn into the war by Russia in October.

In a post on X, Zelensky said the soldiers had been brought to Kiev and were communicating with the Security Service of Ukraine, the country’s domestic intelligence agency.

“As with all prisoners of war, these two North Korean soldiers are receiving the necessary medical care,” Zelensky said. He said that journalists will be given the opportunity to talk to them.

Kiev reports that North Korean troops are fighting in the Kursk region, where Ukraine launched an invasion in August. Kiev says it still controls several hundred square kilometers of territory there.

According to Kiev and its Western allies, Pyongyang also supplies Russia with large quantities of artillery shells.

Ukraine previously announced that it had captured North Korean soldiers in the fighting, but they were seriously wounded and died shortly after.