**Two North Korean Soldiers Captured by Ukrainian Troops**
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has announced that two wounded North Korean soldiers have been captured as prisoners of war. The soldiers were taken into custody by Ukrainian troops in Russia’s Kursk Oblast on January 9.
The two men are receiving medical treatment and are being held in a secure facility in Kyiv, the capital city. Zelensky expressed gratitude to the Ukrainian paratroopers and Special Operation Forces for their successful operation.
**Investigation Underway**
The Ukrainian intelligence service is conducting an investigation into the circumstances of the North Korean soldiers’ participation in Russia’s war against Ukraine. The prisoners are being interrogated through interpreters who speak Korean, with assistance from South Korea’s National Intelligence Service.
According to Zelensky’s office, the Russians had attempted to disguise the soldiers as coming from Tuva or other territories under their control. However, documents found on one of the soldiers suggest that he was actually from North Korea and had been issued a Russian military ID card in 2024.
**Background**
The capture of the two North Korean soldiers comes amid reports of mass casualties among North Korean forces fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine. In December, South Korea’s intelligence agency reported that a North Korean soldier had died after being taken alive by Ukrainian forces.
This development has raised concerns about the involvement of foreign troops in the conflict and the need for transparency and accountability.