In this photo taken from video distributed by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, Russian snipers change a position to fire towards Ukrainian forces from an undisclosed location. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)
KYIV, Ukraine (AFP): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday that investigators were questioning two wounded North Korean soldiers after they were captured in Russia's Kursk region.
"Our soldiers captured North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region. These are two soldiers who, although wounded, survived and were brought to Kyiv, and are talking to SBU investigators," Zelensky wrote on social media, referring to Ukraine's SBU security service.
Zelensky also said he spoke with US counterpart Joe Biden on Friday and thanked him for his "unwavering support", less than two weeks before the Democrat leaves office.
Biden has raced to provide as much aid to Kyiv as possible ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, amid fears the Republican will slash support for the US ally once in power.
"I spoke with (Biden) and expressed my condolences over the devastating wildfires in California and the tragic loss of lives," Zelensky said in a post on X.
"I also thanked him for the unwavering support of Ukraine's independence and for the vital role the United States has played in uniting the international community," he added.
The Biden administration has been steadfast in its support for Ukraine, announcing almost $6 billion in new military and budget assistance last month ahead of Trump's return.
Trump has promised to resolve the conflict in "24 hours" once in office, raising fears in Ukraine that it will be forced to make major concessions in exchange for peace.
Moscow accelerated its advances in Ukraine last year, as Kyiv's overstretched army suffered from exhaustion and a lack of manpower. - AFP
