Zelensky said the soldiers were wounded but survived. They are now in Kyiv under the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). He shared this update on X, along with images of the injured soldiers.
Reports estimate 11,000 North Korean troops are in Kursk. Ukrainian forces have controlled parts of this region since August last year. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said over 1,000 North Korean troops died or were wounded in December.
Zelensky noted the difficulty of capturing these soldiers alive. He claimed Russian and North Korean troops often kill their wounded to hide North Korea’s role in the war.
The SBU also released a video of the captured soldiers. The video also shows the soldiers in bunk beds. One has a jaw injury, and the other has a broken leg. Doctors are treating them. Interpreters are helping communicate with the soldiers, working with South Korean intelligence.
One soldier carried a Russian military ID card issued in Tuva. He also said he thought he was going to Russia for training, not combat. The SBU said some North Korean units only trained with Russian forces for a week.
Ukraine continues its offensive in Kursk. On Tuesday, Ukrainian forces struck a Russian command post near Belaya. Zelensky said this operation prevents Russia from shifting troops to other regions.
The war has intensified in recent weeks. Both sides appear to be pushing for more territory ahead of potential peace talks.
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