Zelensky writes that the two soldiers are injured and have been transported to Kyiv "where they are now communicating with Ukraine's security service" and receiving necessary care.
Furthermore, the president writes that this was not an easy task and claims that Russian forces and North Korean military "usually execute their wounded to erase all evidence of North Korea's involvement in the war against Ukraine."
According to previous estimates, North Korea has sent over 10,000 soldiers to support Russia's offensive war.
Not Interrogated Before
This is not the first time Ukraine claims to have captured North Korean soldiers during the attack in Kursk – but it has not previously been reported that anyone has been successfully interrogated.
In December, Ukraine is said to have taken several prisoners, but they died of severe injuries.
Ukraine's security service SBU claims that both soldiers in the interrogation described themselves as experienced soldiers. One of them allegedly said that he was sent to Russia for training – not to fight.
Neither of the soldiers speaks Russian or Ukrainian, and the interrogations are taking place via an interpreter in cooperation with South Korea's national intelligence service.
"The World Must Know"
Ukraine has not provided any evidence that the men are North Koreans, but in his post on X, Zelensky also published pictures allegedly showing the injured soldiers. SBU has also released a video showing the men.
Zelensky also writes that the media should be given access to the prisoners of war since "the world must know what is happening".
Russia claims on Saturday that it has won territory in Ukraine's eastern region of Donetsk, northwest of the industrial city of Kurakhove, which the country claimed to have captured on Monday.
Ukraine has not confirmed the loss of the city, which had around 18,000 inhabitants before Russia launched its offensive in 2022.
