In early January of 2025, President Zelensky has offered an exchange of North Korean soldiers for Ukrainian soldiers.

According to Adam Pourahmadi from CNN News, “Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is willing to release North Korean soldiers captured by Ukraine in the Kursk region of Russia in exchange for Ukrainian soldiers being held captive in Russia” (Jan 13th, 2025).

According to Mallory Moench from BBC News, President Zelensky said on X (formerly Twitter) that, “For those North Korean soldiers who do not wish to return, there may be other options available,” he also said that those who want “to bring peace closer by spreading the truth about this war in Korean will be given that opportunity” (Jan. 12th, 2025).

Mallory also stated that, “The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said one of the two soldiers told officials he thought he was going to Russia for ‘training’, rather than to fight” (Jan. 12th, 2025).

The invasion for Ukraine has been raging for over 3 years now. With the addition of North Korean forces this invasion could last even longer. However, Russia has denied that existence of North Korean soldiers aiding Russian forces.

According to the previously mentioned CNN article by Adam Pourahmadi, President Zelensky made a statement on X saying, “In addition to the first captured soldiers from North Korea, there will undoubtedly be more. It’s only a matter of time before our troops manage to capture others. There should be no doubt left in the world that the Russian army is dependent on military assistance from North Korea” (Jan. 13th, 2025).

Officials in Kyiv have accused Russia of trying to cover up the involvement of North Korean soldiers on the battlefield.