Zelenskyy Announces Capture of North Korean Soldiers Fighting for Russia in Kursk Region

In a stunning development that highlights the international dimensions of the war in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Saturday, January 11, that Ukrainian forces have captured two North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian troops in the Kursk border region.

This revelation comes amidst intensified battles as Ukraine works to retain its foothold in Kursk, a territory briefly occupied in a lightning incursion last August—the first time Russian territory has been occupied since World War II.

To understand the gravity of this revelation, let’s delve deeper into Zelenskyy’s report and what the captured soldiers have revealed so far.

Captured Soldiers Provide Key Insights

The two North Korean soldiers, both wounded, were transported to Kyiv, where they are being interrogated by Ukraine’s SBU security service with the assistance of Korean translators and South Korean intelligence.

According to Zelenskyy, capturing them alive was no small feat, as Russian and North Korean forces have reportedly taken extreme measures to conceal the involvement of Pyongyang’s troops.

“Our soldiers have captured North Korean military personnel in the Kursk region. Two soldiers, though wounded, survived and were transported to Kyiv, where they are now communicating with the Security Service of Ukraine,” Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram (also posted on X), adding that Russian forces often kill their wounded North Korean comrades to prevent their capture and interrogation.

One of the captured soldiers claimed he was deceived into fighting, having been told he was being sent to Russia for training rather than deployment to Ukraine.

The SBU noted that one soldier had no documentation, while the other carried a Russian military ID card issued under a false identity from Russia’s Tyva region near Mongolia.

Growing North Korean Presence in Ukraine

Zelenskyy’s announcement confirms earlier reports of North Korean troops fighting in Ukraine, a development that has raised alarms among Western governments.

Pyongyang has reportedly deployed 10,000 to 12,000 soldiers to support Russia’s military efforts, primarily in infantry roles.

These troops are believed to be stationed in critical areas, including the Kursk region, where they fight alongside Russian units and, in some cases, operate independently.

According to Ukrainian military officials, hundreds of North Korean soldiers have already been killed or wounded in combat.

The White House and Pentagon have corroborated these claims, acknowledging the presence of North Korean forces on the front lines.

Evidence and Global Implications

Zelenskyy shared photos of the captured soldiers resting on cots, their wounds bandaged, in a room with bars on the windows.

He emphasized that their treatment aligns with the Geneva Conventions, showcasing Ukraine’s adherence to international law despite the chaos of war.

The images also raise questions about how deeply North Korea is entangled in Russia’s war efforts.

Zelenskyy vowed to provide media access to the prisoners of war to expose North Korea’s role in the conflict.

“The world needs to know what is happening,” he stated, underscoring the need for international accountability for both Russia and North Korea.

Наші воїни взяли в полон на Курщині військових з Північної Кореї. Це двоє солдатів, які хоч і були поранені, але вижили, були доставлені в Київ, спілкуються зі слідчими СБУ.

Це завдання було непросте: зазвичай росіяни й інші військові з Північної Кореї добивають своїх поранених… pic.twitter.com/mo7Gr1z85o

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 11, 2025

Reports suggest Russia is actively working to conceal the presence of North Korean troops, including issuing fake IDs and eliminating wounded fighters to erase evidence. This secrecy fuels concerns about the growing involvement of foreign powers in the conflict, complicating an already volatile situation.

Kursk: A Battleground with Global Stakes

Ukraine’s lightning incursion into Kursk last August marked a symbolic and strategic victory, but it has come at a high cost.

Moscow’s counteroffensive has retaken over 40% of the 380 square miles seized by Ukraine, leaving Kyiv’s forces stretched thin and vulnerable.

Despite the challenges, Ukraine continues to press attacks on Kursk, seeking to hold the remaining territory.

NEW: Ukrainian forces struck a Russian ammunition and drone storage warehouse in Rostov Oblast on the night of January 9 to 10.

The Kremlin reiterated that it is ready to hold talks with US President-elect Donald Trump without any “preconditions” but noted that its negotiating… pic.twitter.com/fPjiYLM3rd

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) January 11, 2025

The capture of North Korean soldiers in this region amplifies the stakes of the war. North Korea’s involvement signals a deepening alliance between Pyongyang and Moscow, with both regimes leveraging their military capabilities to counter Western-backed Ukrainian forces.

A Call for Global Action

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga called for intensified international pressure on Russia and North Korea, describing the captured soldiers as “regular DPRK troops, not mercenaries.”

He urged global leaders to address this dangerous partnership, which threatens to escalate the conflict further and destabilize the international order.

First North Korean prisoners of war are now in Kyiv. Regular DPRK troops, not mercenaries, engaged in a war of aggression against a European country. The security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific is directly linked. We need maximum pressure against regimes in Moscow and Pyongyang. https://t.co/VmawnyDo0u

— Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) January 11, 2025

The inclusion of North Korean troops in Russia’s war effort is a stark reminder of how deeply interconnected this conflict has become.

As Ukraine continues to fight for its sovereignty, the involvement of foreign powers like North Korea underscores the need for coordinated global efforts to hold Moscow and its allies accountable.

Zelenskyy’s promise to shed light on these developments signals Ukraine’s determination to expose the broader implications of the war.

With tensions escalating and foreign alliances shifting, the world watches as Ukraine confronts not just Russian aggression but an increasingly globalized conflict.