Zelensky wants to exchange North Koreans for Ukrainian prisoners

For several months now, North Korea has been supporting Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine with thousands of soldiers. Ukraine says it has captured two North Koreans. President Volodymyr Zelenskyj released a video on Sunday in which two injured men can be seen being interrogated. The two are said to be soldiers from North Korea.

Zelensky combined the video message with an offer to Pyongyang and Moscow: Ukraine is ready to “hand over its soldiers” to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. In exchange, North Korea’s rulers should “organize” an exchange for Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russia.

For North Koreans who do not want to return to their homeland, other options are also possible, Zelensky added. Ukraine wanted to give the captured North Koreans the opportunity to “spread the truth about this war in Korean,” explained the Ukrainian president.

North Korea has provided Russia with around 12,000 soldiers to fight against Ukraine. They are now fighting with Russian uniforms and weapons in the Kursk region. According to Ukrainian statements, the North Koreans have suffered heavy losses so far. So far, neither Russia nor North Korea have confirmed that North Korea has sent soldiers to support the Russian army.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expects more North Korean prisoners of war to be taken as fighting continues in the Kursk region. “It is only a matter of time before our soldiers capture other (North Koreans),” he wrote on the X platform

“There should no longer be any doubt in the world that the Russian army is dependent on military assistance from North Korea.” Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin tried to rewrite history three years ago, but that was no longer possible without help.