North Korean soldiers sent to bolster Russia’s forces are resorting to extreme measures. One recently detonated a grenade and blew himself up to avoid getting captured by Ukrainian troops.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday Kyiv is ready to hand over captured North Korean soldiers to their leader Kim Jong Un if he can facilitate their exchange for Ukrainians held captive in Russia.

South Korea’s spy agency has told lawmakers that two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces while fighting alongside Russian forces in Russia’s Kursk border region haven’t expressed a desire to seek asylum in South Korea.

Ukraine's security service released footage purportedly showing two North Korean soldiers following their capture in Russia's Kursk region. (Credit: Security Service of Ukraine)

In a statement posted on X, Zelenskyy said he had instructed Ukraine's security service to allow journalists access to the captured soldiers.