Ukrainian commander in rare account tells how he captured a North Korean soldier alive

Ukrainian drones flew over the cold terrain of Kursk shortly before Kiev's special forces attacked.

"We observed from the air a forest in western Russia where North Korean forces were gathering, preparing to attack Ukrainian positions," said the commander of Ukrainian special operations forces, who is being identified only by his nickname, Green.

"They were preparing to launch an attack on Ukrainian positions in the area," Green said.

The special forces commanders, however, wanted to strike first.

“Also on their agenda,” Green said, “was to achieve what no other unit had yet managed to do: finally capture a North Korean soldier alive.”

It is learned that the Ukrainian elite camouflaged unit was ordered to retreat towards the North Koreans.

"We approached like ghosts," Green said.

"And as soon as the opportunity came, we struck," he continued.

Thousands of North Korean fighters were involved in Russia's war in Ukraine last fall, trying to drive Ukrainian troops away from Kursk.

Kiev had launched an incursion into Kursk in August 2024, quickly capturing a swath of territory in what became the most significant foreign invasion of Russian soil since World War II.

For months, Moscow failed to fully unseat Ukraine's control of parts of Kursk, even when supported by North Korean fighters and dictator Kim Jong Un.

The impact of North Korean troops is not known exactly, although the death toll is thought to be painful.

Ukraine said last month that North Korean troops had suffered more than 4,000 casualties, including those killed and wounded, the report said. foreign media, the Telegraph reports.

But Kiev has also acknowledged that North Korea's military technology, not least the accuracy of Pyongyang's missiles, have improved through its exposure to the fighting at Kursk.

"The battle was fast," Green said.

"Ukraine had caught the North Koreans off guard, so they panicked and retreated," the commander continued.

But the other mission remained.

"No one had managed to take a North Korean soldier alive, although one of the Pyongyang soldiers had died of his wounds when he was evacuated by another unit," Green said.

In late December, South Korea's NIS spy agency said a North Korean soldier had been captured by Ukraine, quickly followed by reports that the soldier had died from major injuries.

Roughly two weeks later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine had captured two wounded North Korean soldiers in Kursk.

They were quickly taken into custody by Ukraine's SBU security service.

It was Green's unit that Zelensky praised when he told the world that Ukraine had captured North Korean soldiers alive.

"It was not an easy task," Zelensky said at the time.

⚡️ Ukraine's Special Forces release footage of North Korean soldiers being captured in Russia's Kursk Oblast.

The Special Operation Forces shared a video on Jan. 11 purporting to show the capture of North Korean soldiers in Kursk Oblast by operatives of the Tactical Group 84.… pic.twitter.com/diJuxKc6GC

— Ukraine War Now ✙ (@uarealitynow) January 11, 2025

According to Ukrainian and Western intelligence, North Koreans often took their own lives to avoid being captured alive.

It is reported that special forces hit him while firing on other troops who were trying to escape.

The surprised soldier jumped and handed over the rifle.

"That brief moment of confusion bought us time," the Ukrainian soldier recalled.

"We special forces had learned a little Korean, so we shouted in the soldier's native language," Green said.

"But he screamed every time he put weight on his injured leg," the commander added.

The special forces then created a makeshift stretcher to remove the soldier, avoiding mines and the incessant boom of artillery fire.

Green said Russian troops had most likely spied on the evacuation.

"After receiving painkillers, food and water, the soldier – dehydrated and hungry – motioned for a cigarette, which was handed to him," Green added.

Otherwise, the operation was a complete success for Ukraine.

“Each phase was executed exactly as planned, without complications and, most importantly, without casualties on our part.” /Telegraph/