Ukrainian Special Forces Collect DNA From North Korean Soldiers in Kursk, Video

Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SSO) have conducted a mission in the Kursk region of Russia, resulting in the elimination of North Korean military personnel and the collection of DNA samples for identification purposes.

The press service of the SSO released a video documenting the operation on January 21.

Video shows the use of drone strikes to target North Korean troops identified during their movement in the area. Following the strikes, Ukrainian operatives conducted a ground clearance operation to gather intelligence and examine the remains of the eliminated personnel.

The DNA samples and other materials collected during the operation will be added to relevant databases for further investigative and analytical processes. According to the SSO, these efforts aim to confirm the presence of North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces and provide critical data about their deployment.

The SSO reported that North Korean troops are being utilized as expendable units by Russian command, particularly in assault operations against Ukrainian defensive positions in the Kursk region.

SSO operatives have stated that they systematically collect data about enemy personnel, including equipment and personal details, to enhance situational awareness and support ongoing investigations. These operations provide valuable intelligence about the involvement of foreign military forces.

Earlier, Ukrainian forces captured two North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region. The soldiers, wounded but alive, are now in custody in Kyiv, cooperating with investigators. Preliminary findings revealed one soldier possessed a Russian-issued military ID, while the other lacked documentation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that North Korea has already suffered significant losses in Russia’s war against Ukraine, with 4,000 troops reported killed or wounded.

The Washington Post revealed items recovered from North Korean soldiers in Russia’s Kursk region, highlighting their preparation and ideological motivation. Ukrainian forces found advanced equipment, including AK-12 rifles and body armor, handwritten messages from Kim Jong Un, and patriotic song booklets.

The soldiers also carried Russian-Korean vocabulary lists and military IDs with incomplete or falsified information, indicating deliberate efforts to bolster their deployment.