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Ukrainian troops capture two North Korean soldiers

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on January 11 that Ukrainian forces have captured two North Korean soldiers as prisoners of war (POWs) in Russia’s Kursk Oblast.

In a Telegram post, Zelensky described the operation as challenging, noting, “Usually, Russia and other North Korean military personnel finish off their wounded and do everything possible to ensure that no evidence of the participation of another state — North Korea — in the war against Ukraine is preserved.”

The captured soldiers, who were wounded, have received medical care and are currently in the custody of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) in Kyiv. President Zelensky commended the efforts of Ukrainian paratroopers and Special Operations Forces for their successful mission.

Reports indicate that North Korea has deployed approximately 12,000 troops in Kursk Oblast, where Ukraine initiated a surprise cross-border incursion in August 2024, aiming to extend the conflict into Russian territory. A senior Ukrainian official revealed that a North Korean soldier, previously captured on December 26, succumbed to his injuries shortly after.

The SBU has highlighted the significance of this development, calling it “irrefutable evidence” of North Korean soldiers’ involvement in the Russian war against Ukraine. The captured POWs are currently being interrogated with the assistance of Korean translators and South Korean intelligence.

Since December, North Korean troops have reportedly sustained over 1,000 casualties, although some estimates suggest the number could be much higher. President Zelensky himself has estimated North Korean casualties to be as high as 4,000, but these figures remain unverified.

Limited footage of the North Korean soldiers has surfaced online, making it difficult to assess their combat effectiveness. As the situation unfolds, the involvement of North Korean forces in the ongoing conflict raises significant geopolitical concerns.

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