Ukraine "One North Korean Soldier Captured"... First Case If Confirmed

Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SOF) have released photos claiming to have captured North Korean soldiers deployed in Russia.

The Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SOF) released photos on the 26th (local time), claiming to have captured North Korean soldiers deployed in Russia. SOF Telegram

On the 26th (local time), Ukrainian military media Militarni cited photos of suspected North Korean soldiers released by SOF on Telegram, reporting, "It appears that a North Korean soldier was captured as a prisoner during operations in Kursk, Russia."

The man in the photo appears to be seriously injured, but it is unclear whether he has received medical treatment. If this man is confirmed to be a North Korean soldier, he is expected to be recorded as the first North Korean soldier captured alive by Ukraine. Militarni also reported, "In addition to this North Korean soldier, SOF seized Russian-made BTR-82 armored vehicles, weapons, and documents as spoils of war."

North Korea is known to have deployed more than 11,000 soldiers to Russia. The deployed North Korean soldiers were stationed in Kursk, which is occupied by Ukraine, and have recently been actively deployed to the front lines. The Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Unit (DIU) recently claimed that mixed airborne and marine units composed of North Korean and Russian troops suffered fatal and irrecoverable losses due to Ukrainian attacks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on the 23rd via X (formerly Twitter) that the number of North Korean soldiers killed or wounded in Kursk has exceeded 3,000. The Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) under the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense pointed out that North Korean soldiers have little experience in modern warfare, especially with drones, and use primitive tactics reminiscent of World War II.

On the same day, the Associated Press cited GUR reporting that North Korean troops deployed to the front lines to assist Russia are facing supply issues and even experiencing a shortage of drinking water. This came after GUR confirmed that Ukrainian forces attacked North Korean units near Novoyvanovka in Kursk Oblast, western Russia, inflicting heavy damage.