**Ukraine Captures North Korean Soldiers**
In a significant development, Ukrainian forces operating in Russia’s Kursk Oblast have finally captured two North Korean soldiers. President Volodymyr Zelensky described this as “irrefutable evidence” of Pyongyang‘s involvement in the Kremlin’s war against Ukraine.
The capture is seen as a major blow to Russia’s efforts to circumvent sanctions and obtain goods needed to build weapons for its war in Ukraine. Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Treasury Wally Adeyemo stated that today’s actions “frustrate the Kremlin’s ability” to do so.
**Challenging Mission**
Capturing North Korean soldiers has been a challenging task for Ukrainian forces, as highlighted in a recent video. However, with their ultimate success, they have dealt a significant blow to Russia’s efforts.
**Ukraine’s Military Strength**
President Zelensky announced on January 15 that Ukraine’s military now comprises 880,000 soldiers, tasked with defending the entire country against 600,000 Russian troops concentrated in specific areas. This highlights the continued presence of officials with ties to Russia in the Ukrainian government.
**Recent Developments**
Russian missiles hit critical infrastructure in Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk Oblasts, but no casualties were reported. Gazprom, Russia’s state-controlled energy giant, halted gas supplies to Moldova on January 1, citing unpaid debts by Moldovagaz. This move is seen as an attempt to pressure Moscow into negotiations with Ukraine.
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