Stacy
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Kyiv’s readiness to return captured North Korean soldiers to their leader, Kim Jong Un, in exchange for Ukrainians held captive in Russia.
This comes after Ukrainian forces captured two North Korean soldiers in Russia’s Kursk region, marking the first confirmed instances of their involvement in the nearly three-year conflict. Ukrainian and Western intelligence estimate that approximately 11,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to support Moscow. Russia has neither confirmed nor denied these reports.
Zelensky shared a video on the social media platform X, showing the interrogation of the captured soldiers. One soldier, speaking through an interpreter, claimed he was unaware he was fighting in Ukraine, believing it was a training mission. Injured and visibly shaken, he expressed a willingness to return to North Korea but hinted at staying in Ukraine if permitted.
The Ukrainian president emphasized that North Korean troops who wished to avoid returning home would be offered alternatives, including opportunities to spread the truth about the war in their native language.
“Our forces will undoubtedly capture more of these soldiers,” Zelensky said, underscoring Ukraine’s commitment to exchanging captives.
The deployment of North Korean soldiers highlights the deepening military ties between Pyongyang and Moscow, as both nations face mounting international isolation. Zelensky’s proposal aims to leverage this unusual dynamic while drawing attention to the plight of Ukrainian prisoners of war.
With heavy losses reported among Russian and North Korean forces, the development sheds light on the global repercussions of the ongoing conflict.
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Kathy
Olivia
