Ukraine says it captured two wounded North Korean soldiers from Russia

Two wounded North Korean soldiers were captured by Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk region, President Vladimir Zelensky said on Saturday.

According to Zelenskyi, the two men are receiving the “necessary medical care” and are being held in the detention center of the SBU in Kyiv.

The president said he was “grateful” to the Ukrainian paratroopers and special forces for capturing the North Koreans.

He added that “it was not an easy task,” saying that Russian and North Korean soldiers routinely execute wounded North Koreans “to erase any evidence of North Korea’s involvement in the war against Ukraine.”

In a statement posted on Telegram and X, Zelensky said the military had “talked to SBU investigators” and he instructed the Security Service of Ukraine to give journalists access to them.

“The world needs to know the truth about what is happening,” he added.

Zelensky also published photos of the two wounded, but did not provide evidence that they were from North Korea.

One image showed a Russian army ID issued to a 26-year-old man from Russia’s Tiwa region, which borders Mongolia.

Some reports say that Russia is hiding North Korean militants by issuing them fake IDs.

South Korean intelligence reported this in December North Korean soldier believed to be first captured supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine dies after being captured by Ukrainian forces.

Separately, the White House said North Korean troops were suffering massive casualties.