South Korea's spy agency said Friday it had confirmed that a North Korean soldier sent to back Russia's war against Ukraine had been captured by Ukrainian forces.

A North Korean soldier who was captured while fighting in Russia's war against Ukraine has died of his wounds, South Korea's spy agency said Friday. Pyongyang has deployed thousands of troops to reinforce Russia's military, including in the Kursk border region where Ukraine mounted a shock border incursion in August.

The soldier is believed to be the first North Korean prisoner of war captured since December, when Pyongyang deployed forces to support Russia's war in Ukraine. The confirmation comes after a photo purporting to show the wounded soldier circulated on Telegram.

Ukrainian troops have captured a North Korean soldier and Russian materials in Kursk as the battle between the warring countries intensifies.

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.