Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SSO) reportedly captured a North Korean soldier fighting for Russia in the Kursk region on Thursday.

The prisoner, believed to be the first North Korean soldier captured, appeared to be injured. It remains unclear whether evacuation and stabilization efforts successfully ensured his transfer to medical facilities, according to Militarnyi.

Ukrainian forces seized a Russian BTR-82 armored personnel carrier, weapons, and documents during the operation.

The captured soldier was reportedly taken prisoner by Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces.

Ukrainian strikes in Kursk Oblast have reportedly inflicted significant losses on North Korean units and worsened their supply shortages.

Reports from U.S., South Korean, and Ukrainian sources estimate that 10,000 to 12,000 North Korean troops are supporting Russia in its efforts to reclaim territories in Kursk lost to Ukrainian forces in August. 

Around 3,000 of these soldiers have been killed or wounded in the ongoing fighting, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. South Korean intelligence confirmed heavy casualties, citing North Korean troops’ lack of modern warfare experience, particularly their inability to counter drone attacks.

On Christmas Day, Ukraine carried out its own retaliatory attacks on Russian military facilities.