Ukraine’s intelligence service has announced the capture of two individuals believed to be North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. The prisoners, captured on January 9, are reportedly being held under conditions adhering to international law, including the Geneva Convention, according to a statement from Ukrainian authorities.
The detainees, neither of whom spoke Ukrainian, English, or Russian, have been communicating through Korean interpreters provided with the cooperation of South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS).
Details of the Capture
One of the detainees was found with a Russian military ID card bearing another person’s name and registered in the Tuva Republic, near Mongolia. The other had no identification. During interrogations, one prisoner claimed to have received the ID card during autumn 2024 in Russia while undergoing interoperability training between North Korean and Russian combat units.
The prisoners provided differing service backgrounds:
- First detainee: Born in 2005, he reportedly served as a rifleman in North Korea since 2021.
- Second detainee: Born in 1999, he claimed to be a scout sniper serving since 2016.
Due to an injured jaw, the second detainee provided some answers in writing, according to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).
Zelensky’s Response
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the capture and directed the SBU to allow journalists access to the detainees to expose the truth of their involvement. Zelensky’s statement also included photographs of the captured individuals, one of whom held a red Russian military ID card.
The Ukrainian government alleges that Russia is attempting to disguise the involvement of North Korean soldiers by issuing fake documents indicating origins in Russian-controlled territories.
International Implications
- Russian Denial and Ambiguity: Although Kremlin officials, including President Vladimir Putin, have previously denied direct involvement of North Korean troops, Putin has described such decisions as within Russia’s sovereignty.
- North Korea’s Role: This incident marks the latest in a series of allegations about North Korean involvement in the conflict, with reports of combat units suffering significant casualties.
The SBU is investigating the incident under Ukraine’s criminal code concerning the planning and execution of aggressive warfare. Meanwhile, global scrutiny over Russia’s use of foreign troops, particularly from North Korea, continues to intensify.
