18.02.2025 US
1092 day since the barbaric invasion of Ukraine

Ukrainian military capture first North Korean soldiers fighting on Russia's side

The Ukrainian Defense Forces have captured North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russia for the first time. The detainees have provided critical evidence.

Olga Demidenko
Ukrainian Armed Forces
Illustrative photo of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
Photo: facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua

For the first time, Ukrainian forces have taken North Korean soldiers, who were engaged in combat on Russia's side, as prisoners of war, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported.

The incident occurred on January 9, 2025, in the Kursk region, where fighters from Tactical Group No. 84 of the Special Operations Forces and paratroopers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces captured two North Korean servicemen.

Immediately after their capture, the detainees received medical assistance in accordance with the Geneva Conventions. They were then transported to Kyiv for investigative actions.

According to the SBU, the captured North Koreans do not speak Ukrainian, Russian, or English, so interrogations are conducted with the help of interpreters.

One of the soldiers had a Russian military ID issued in the fall of 2024, claiming he was recruited during training sessions in Russia. The second detainee did not have any documents but confirmed the participation of North Korean units in joint operations with Russian forces.

The Security Service of Ukraine is investigating how these soldiers arrived in Russia. Preliminary data suggest that the North Korean authorities are providing military aid to Russia.

The SBU continues to gather evidence to bring those responsible to international accountability.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky also commented on the first captured North Korean soldiers fighting on Russia's side. He emphasized that this proves the Russian army's dependence on North Korean support.

Ukraine is ready to exchange the detainees with Kim Jong Un for Ukrainian soldiers held in Russian captivity.

For those unwilling to return, opportunities will be provided to spread the truth about the war in the Korean language. Zelensky noted that this is just the beginning, and more evidence of the international support that Russia relies on is forthcoming.

Earlier, it was reported that Ukrainian Special Operations Forces successfully conducted an operation in the Kursk region, liberating a village from Russian and North Korean forces, according to the command.

It was also revealed that Ukrainian troops advanced into the Kursk region, covering 2.7 km in the first day of the offensive, aided by advanced electronic warfare technologies.