Ukraine captures two wounded North Korean soldiers, Zelensky says

A wounded soldier, believed to be North Korean, captured by Ukrainian forces is seen, in this grab from a post on X by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Jan. 11, 2025.

SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - Ukraine has captured two wounded North Korean soldiers during an operation near Russia's border, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday.

"Despite their injuries, the two soldiers survived and have been transported to Kyiv," Zelensky wrote in a post on X, sharing photos of their captives.

Ukraine forces captured them in Russia's western Kursk region, a territory currently occupied by Ukraine. They are reportedly being investigated by Ukrainian authorities.

Calling it "not an easy task," Zelensky said, "Russian forces and other North Korean military personnel usually execute their wounded to erase any evidence of North Korea's involvement in the war against Ukraine."

Their capture comes just weeks after the first case of a North Korean soldier being taken captive late last month, who later succumbed to his injuries.