SEOUL, Jan. 11 (Yonhap) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday that Ukraine has captured two wounded North Korean soldiers in Russia’s western Kursk region and investigators are questioning them.
Zelenskyy shared the intelligence on his X account that Tactical Group No. 84 of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and paratroopers captured the North Koreans in the Russian border region.
“Two soldiers, though wounded, survived and were transported to Kyiv, where they are now communicating with the Security Service of Ukraine,” Zelenskyy wrote, posting photos of the two wounded men.
A wounded soldier, suspected to be North Korean, captured by Ukrainian forces is seen in this photo posted on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s X account on Jan. 11, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Zelenskyy said capturing them alive was “not an easy task” as Russian forces and other North Korean military personnel usually execute their wounded to erase any evidence of Pyongyang’s involvement in the war against Ukraine.
“As with all prisoners of war, these two North Korean soldiers are receiving the necessary medical assistance,” he said, noting the Ukrainian security service will grant journalists access to the prisoners.
In late December, Zelenskyy said Ukraine captured an injured North Korean soldier, but he later died.
A wounded soldier, suspected to be North Korean, captured by Ukrainian forces is seen in this photo posted on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s X account on Jan. 11, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
ejkim@yna.co.kr
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