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

Written by Max Hunder

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

North Korean regular troops entered the war on the Russian side in October, according to Kyiv and its western allies, who initially estimated their number at 10,000 or more.

In a post on X, Zelenskiy said that soldiers had been brought to Kyiv and were in talks with the Security Service of Ukraine, the country’s domestic intelligence agency.

“Like all prisoners of war, these two North Korean soldiers are receiving the necessary medical assistance,” Zelenskiy said. He said journalists will be given an opportunity to speak with them.

Kyiv says North Korean troops are fighting in the Kursk region, where Ukraine launched an offensive in August. Kyiv says it still controls several hundred square kilometers there.

Pyongyang has been supplying Russia with large quantities of artillery shells, according to Kyiv and its western allies.

Ukraine had previously claimed to have captured North Korean soldiers in the war, but that they were badly wounded and died shortly afterwards.