Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced on Sunday that Ukraine is prepared to exchange captured North Korean soldiers for Ukrainian prisoners currently held in Russia. He expressed this willingness on the social media platform X, stating, "Ukraine is ready to hand over Kim Jong Un's soldiers to him if he can organize their exchange for our warriors who are being held captive in Russia."
This statement follows Ukraine's confirmation of capturing two North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region of Russia, marking the first instance of such captures since North Korea's involvement in the conflict began nearly three years ago. Zelenskiy noted that additional North Korean soldiers are likely to be captured in the future, emphasizing the ongoing military engagement.
Ukrainian and Western intelligence estimates suggest that around 11,000 North Korean troops have been deployed in support of Russian forces, although Russia has not officially acknowledged their presence. Zelenskiy also mentioned that both North Korean and Russian troops have sustained significant casualties.
In a video shared by Zelenskiy, the two captured soldiers appeared injured, with one claiming he was unaware he was fighting against Ukraine and believed he was participating in a training exercise. Zelenskiy indicated that for those North Korean soldiers who do not wish to return home, alternative options may be available, particularly for those willing to promote peace by sharing their experiences of the conflict.