Ukraine claims capture of North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia

Ukraine’s forces captured two North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian troops in the Kursk region, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday. This marks the first claim by Kyiv since North Korea reportedly sent thousands of troops to support Moscow’s war effort.

Details of the capture

Zelenskyy announced the capture on Telegram, sharing photos of the two soldiers receiving medical care. He stated the soldiers were wounded but survived and are now cooperating with Ukrainian security services.

Zelenskyy accused Russian and North Korean forces of attempting to conceal the presence of North Korean soldiers, even alleging that wounded North Korean troops were executed on the battlefield to prevent capture.

According to Ukraine’s security service, the SBU, one soldier carried no documentation, while the other had a Russian military ID. One soldier reportedly said he was misled into believing he was sent to Russia for training, receiving only a week of preparation before deployment.

North Korea’s involvement in Russia’s war

Ukraine estimates that 10,000 to 12,000 North Korean troops are fighting alongside Russian forces. U.S. officials have confirmed North Korean troops are engaged in front-line combat, mainly in infantry roles around Kursk.

Strategic implications

Ukraine’s campaign in Kursk, the first occupation of Russian territory since World War II, aims to force Moscow to negotiate an end to the war. However, Ukrainian and Western officials warn that focusing on Kursk could weaken Ukraine’s defenses along the broader front line.

U.S. sanctions target Russia’s energy sector

Zelenskyy welcomed a new U.S. sanctions package targeting Russia’s energy sector, including over 180 oil-carrying vessels and companies like Gazprom Neft. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of hitting Russia’s “shadow tanker fleet” and major energy firms to cut off funds to President Vladimir Putin.

Escalation in drone warfare

Ukraine reportedly launched a high number of drones targeting Russian territory, including attacks on apartment blocks in Tambov province. Russia claimed to have shot down 85 Ukrainian drones and launched 74 drones into Ukraine overnight.

The surge in Ukrainian drone activity suggests Kyiv’s efforts to enhance domestic weapons production and inflict significant damage on Russian infrastructure.

Russia’s response

The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the U.S. sanctions, promising retaliation but providing no specifics. Meanwhile, Moscow continues its counteroffensive in Kursk, pushing back Ukrainian forces and reclaiming portions of the region.