South Korea’s spy agency said Friday a wounded North Korean soldier who was captured while fighting for Russia against Ukrainian forces has since died from his injuries, the Yonhap news agency reported.

Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine’s energy grid, leaving many in the country in the dark over the holiday. Retired Col. Jack Jacobs shares his thoughts about recent developments in Ukraine and a potential twist in North Korea’s involvement.

Pyongyang’s role in Ukraine war exposed as 1st North Korean combatant captured supporting Russian forces - Anadolu Ajansı

The announcement followed reports from Ukrainian media outlet Militarnyi, which claimed the soldier was captured by Ukrainian special forces during operations in Russia’s Kursk region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia is open to a Slovakian proposal to host peace talks with Ukraine to end a conflict he said Russia was determined to bring to a conclusion.

Russian ruler Vladimir Putin said on Thursday, 26 December, answering a question about the prospects for ending the war in Ukraine in 2025, that he was "striving" to end it but was still going to achieve his "goals".

Slovakia could host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in the future after receiving approval from Vladimir Putin. The Russian leader who this week hosted Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico in Moscow,

Vladimir Putin says Russia is 'striving' to end the conflict in Ukraine. The Russian President said the Government was prepared to use intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missiles or to use more powerful intermediate-range weapons.

Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that his country seeks to end the war in Ukraine. However, in 2025, Russia will continue to achieve all goals of its so-called special military operation, stated Putin at a press conference following a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council.