Ukraine Captures Two North Korean Soldiers Fighting Alongside Russian Troops
Ukraine’s forces have captured two North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian troops in Russia’s Kursk border region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Saturday.
Background
Moscow’s counterattack has left Ukrainian forces outstretched and demoralized, killing and wounding thousands and retaking more than 40% of the 984 square kilometers (380 square miles) of Kursk Ukraine had seized.
Capturing the Soldiers
Zelenskyy said capturing the soldiers alive was "not easy." He asserted that Russian and North Korean forces fighting in Kursk have tried to conceal the presence of North Korean soldiers, including by killing wounded comrades on the battlefield to avoid their capture and interrogation by Kyiv.
Photos and Video
He shared photos of two men resting on cots in a room with bars over the windows. Both wore bandages, one around his jaw and the other around both hands and wrists.
Investigation and Treatment
The Ukrainian security service, SBU, provided more information on the two soldiers. In a statement, it said one had no documents at all, while the other had been carrying a Russian military ID card in the name of a man from Tuva, a Russian region bordering Mongolia. The prisoners do not speak Ukrainian, English, or Russian, so communication with them takes place through Korean translators in cooperation with South Korean intelligence.
Casualties
A senior Ukrainian military official said last month that a couple hundred North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces in Kursk have been killed or wounded in battle.
Conclusion
The capture of these two North Korean soldiers is a significant development in the conflict, highlighting the complexity of the situation on the ground. The Ukrainian government has been pushing back against Russian forces, but Moscow’s counterattack has been effective in retaking significant territory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many North Korean soldiers are fighting alongside Russian forces in Kursk?
A: A couple hundred, according to a senior Ukrainian military official.
Q: How many square kilometers of Kursk did Ukraine seize before Russian forces recaptured it?
A: 984 square kilometers (380 square miles).
Q: How many Ukrainian soldiers have been killed or wounded in the conflict?
A: Thousands, according to Ukrainian officials.
Q: What is the current situation on the ground in Kursk?
A: Russian forces have retaken more than 40% of the territory captured by Ukraine.
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