Two wounded North Korean troopers have been captured as prisoners of struggle by Ukrainian troops in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Saturday.
The two males are receiving “essential medical care” and are within the custody of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in Kiev, based on Zelensky.
The president stated he was “grateful” to Ukrainian paratroopers and particular operations forces troopers for capturing the North Koreans.
He added that “this was not a simple process,” claiming that Russian and North Korean troopers used to execute wounded North Koreans “to erase any proof of North Korea’s involvement within the struggle in opposition to Ukraine.”
The Ukrainian secret providers stated in an announcement that the prisoners had been captured on January 9 and instantly after had been “supplied with all essential medical care in accordance with the provisions of the Geneva Convention” and brought to Kiev.
“They are being held in applicable situations that meet the necessities of worldwide regulation,” the intelligence assertion stated.
The intelligence service stated the prisoners don’t communicate Ukrainian, English or Russian, “so communication with them is finished via Korean interpreters, in cooperation with the South Korean NIS (National Intelligence Service).
In an announcement printed on Telegram and
“The world must know the reality about what is going on,” he added.
Zelensky additionally printed 4 pictures alongside along with his assertion. Two present wounded males. One of the pictures confirmed a crimson Russian army badge.
The hometown on the doc is indicated as Turan, within the Republic of Tuva, neighboring Mongolia.
The intelligence providers reported that on the time of the seize of the prisoners, one of many troopers had a Russian army identification card issued within the identify of one other individual with registration within the Republic of Tuva. The different didn’t have any paperwork.
The intelligence service stated that in interrogation the soldier with the identification card advised safety personnel that the doc was issued to him in Russia within the autumn of 2024.
He is alleged to have stated that some North Korean fight items had obtained week-long interoperability coaching at the moment.
“Interestingly, the prisoner… emphasizes that he was going to coach, to not battle a struggle in opposition to Ukraine,” the SBU assertion learn.
The intelligence service reportedly stated he was born in 2005 and had served in North Korea as a rifleman since 2021.
According to the SBU, the second prisoner gave some solutions in writing as a result of he had a wound on his jaw. The intelligence service stated it believes he was born in 1999 and has served in North Korea as a scout sniper since 2016.
The Geneva Convention states that interrogations of prisoners ought to be carried out in a language they perceive and that prisoners have to be shielded from public curiosity.
Zelensky’s workplace stated in an announcement that the Russians “are attempting to cover the truth that these are North Korean troopers by offering them with paperwork stating that they arrive from Tuva or different territories beneath Moscow’s management.”
“But these persons are really Koreans, they’re from North Korea,” the assertion from the president’s workplace learn.
In 2014, Russian forces working in Ukraine – regardless of Kremlin denials – had been despatched with out figuring out markings on their uniforms.
Last 12 months, when President Vladimir Putin was requested whether or not Russia was utilizing North Korean troops within the struggle in opposition to Ukraine, he didn’t deny it. He stated it was a “sovereign determination” by Russia.
South Korea’s intelligence company reported this in December A North Korean soldier believed to be the first to be captured while supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine had died after being taken alive by Ukrainian forces.
Separately, the White House stated North Korean forces had been struggling mass casualties.
The Security Service of Ukraine stated it was “presently conducting the required investigative measures to determine all of the circumstances of the DPRK’s army participation in Russia’s struggle in opposition to Ukraine.”
“The investigation is being carried out beneath the procedural steering of the Prosecutor General’s Office beneath Article 437 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (planning, preparation, waging and conduct of aggressive struggle).”
