Ukraine has detained two North Korean soldiers who were found injured and fighting for Russia in a border area, as reported by South Korea’s intelligence service and corroborated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) verified the incident, stating that Ukrainian forces captured the two North Korean soldiers on January 9 in the Kursk region of Russia.
President Zelenskyy shared the news on Telegram, mentioning that the injured soldiers are now in Kyiv, where they are being debriefed by the Ukrainian security agency SBU.
SBU released video that appears to show the two prisoners on beds inside jail cells. The authenticity of the video could not be independently verified.
While reports of their presence first emerged in October, Ukrainian troops only confirmed engagement on the ground in December.
On Thursday, Zelenskyy put the number of killed or wounded North Koreans at 4,000, though U.S. estimates are lower, at around 1,200.
Soldiers are seen at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Oct. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Jon Chol Jin, File)
Despite North Korea’s suffering losses and initial inexperience on the battlefield, Ukrainian soldiers, military intelligence and experts suggest first-hand experience will only help them develop further as a fighting force.
“For the first time in decades, the North Korean army is gaining real military experience,” Yusov said. “This is a global challenge — not just for Ukraine and Europe, but for the entire world.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
