Zelensky offers exchange of captured North Korean soldiers for Ukrainian prisoners

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced his willingness to exchange two captured North Korean soldiers for Ukrainian prisoners of war held by Russia.

“For those North Korean soldiers who do not wish to return, there may be other options available,” Zelensky stated on social media.

He added, “Those who express a desire to bring peace closer by spreading the truth about this war in Korea will be given that opportunity.”

The Ukrainian government reported on Saturday that the two men were captured on 9 January. According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the prisoners are currently in Kyiv, receiving medical care. Due to their limited ability to communicate, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service is assisting with interrogations.

Zelensky shared images of the soldiers on social media, showing both men injured, alongside a Russian military card issued in the Tuva Republic near Mongolia. The SBU revealed that one of the soldiers carried an ID card issued in autumn 2024 under another person’s name, while the second prisoner had no documents.

During interrogation, one soldier claimed his presence in Russia was for training, not combat. “It is noteworthy that the prisoner…emphasises that he was allegedly going for training, not to fight a war against Ukraine,” the SBU said.

The SBU also reported that the first soldier, born in 2005, had served as a rifleman in North Korea since 2021. The second, born in 1999, had been a scout sniper since 2016 but had to provide written responses due to an injured jaw.

Zelensky’s office accused Russia of attempting to obscure the soldiers’ origins by issuing false documentation. “The Russians are trying to hide the fact that these are soldiers from North Korea by giving them documents claiming they are from Tuva or other territories under Moscow’s control,” the statement said.

The Geneva Convention mandates humane treatment of prisoners of war, including questioning in a language they understand and protection against public exposure.

Reports of North Korea sending troops to aid Russia surfaced last year, with Ukraine and South Korea claiming at least 10,000 North Korean forces were deployed. The White House noted that these units were facing heavy casualties. In December, South Korea’s intelligence agency confirmed the death of the first known captured North Korean soldier in the conflict.

Zelensky reiterated on Sunday, “There should be no doubt left that the Russian army is dependent on military assistance from North Korea.”

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