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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/12/ukraines-capture-of-north-koreans-offers-rare-insight-into-russian-alliance-says-zelenskyy>
"Ukraine’s capture of two North Korean soldiers on the battlefield has provided
a rare glimpse into their role and Pyongyang’s participation in the Russian
invasion, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.
The two soldiers were taken prisoner in Kursk oblast, the scene of intense
fighting since Ukraine launched a cross-border raid five months ago. Video
showed special forces soldiers carrying one of the wounded North Koreans across
a snowy forest.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine would give journalists access to the pair, so the world
“can learn the truth about what is happening”.
The prisoners have been transported to Kyiv and given appropriate “medical
treatment” for their injuries, Zelenskyy said. He praised the paratroopers and
tactical group that retrieved them, saying: “This was not an easy task.”
Russian forces and North Korean military personnel had previously executed
wounded North Korean soldiers in order to “erase” any trace of Pyongyang’s
involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine, he claimed.
Ukraine’s SBU intelligence agency has been questioning the soldiers, who were
given fake Russian names and military documents. The pair speak no foreign
languages. South Korea’s NIS intelligence service has been assisting, the SBU
said.
The soldiers are the first captive North Koreans to survive. They represent a
PR opportunity for Kyiv, during a precarious moment for Ukraine as Donald Trump
returns to the White House."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
