**North Korean Soldiers Captured by Ukrainian Forces and Wounded: A Tragic Episode in Ukraine**
In a series of recent tragic events, North Korean soldiers have found themselves trapped in the fighting in Ukraine. Ukrainian forces have managed to capture several North Korean soldiers, who were seriously injured and unable to be rescued despite all efforts. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed this information in a speech, noting that these North Korean soldiers were the first North Korean prisoners of war held by Ukraine.
According to South Korean intelligence agencies, one North Korean soldier captured in Ukraine has sadly died of his injuries. Losses on the North Korean side have been heavy, with thousands of soldiers killed or wounded in the Kursk region of Russia, where they fought alongside Russian forces to repel the Ukrainian incursion.
Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of sending North Korean soldiers into combat without adequate protection, leading to massive losses among their ranks. Estimates from US, Ukrainian and South Korean intelligence agencies indicate that between 11,000 and 12,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia, some of whom have already taken part in military operations.
Tensions are high as Ukrainian authorities accuse Russia of concealing the presence of North Korean soldiers on the battlefield. Recently seized documents have revealed forgeries aimed at concealing the identities of North Korean soldiers killed in combat, while footage has shown Russian soldiers attempting to burn the bodies of North Korean victims.
The situation is critical, with fears of a North Korean build-up alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelensky has stressed the risk of an additional influx of North Korean troops and military equipment, which could further escalate the ongoing conflict.
In a political gesture, Russian President Vladimir Putin recently sent a letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to reaffirm their strategic partnership, including a mutual defense pact. However, the involvement of North Korean soldiers in the conflict in Ukraine could further complicate the situation, while human losses continue to tragically mount.
This painful episode underscores the scale of sacrifices and stakes in this complex conflict, highlighting the disastrous consequences of military actions on the lives of soldiers caught in the thick of the battle.