Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked North Korean troops for their participation in the conflict against Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk region. In a statement issued by the Kremlin this morning, Putin praised the heroism, exceptional training, and commitment of the North Korean fighters, who fought alongside Russian soldiers to defend their homeland.
The statement followed North Korea’s confirmation that it had deployed troops to assist Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine.
Earlier, North Korea for the first time confirmed that it sent troops to support Russia in the war against Ukraine. According to North Korean state media KCNA, North Korean soldiers helped Russian forces completely liberate the Kursk border region, following orders from leader Kim Jong Un.
This comes days after Russia’s top general, Valery Gerasimov, praised the heroism of North Korean troops, marking Russia’s first public acknowledgement of their involvement. Western officials say about 1,000 out of 11,000 North Korean troops have been killed over the past three months. Gerasimov also claims Moscow regained full control of the country’s western Kursk region.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has denied that Russia fully controls the Kursk region. In response to North Korea’s statement, the US said Pyongyang must take responsibility for fueling the conflict.
North Korea said the deployment was part of a mutual defence treaty with Russia. Kim Jong Un called the soldiers “heroes” and said their actions strengthened the two countries’ alliance.
Reports of North Korean troops fighting in Ukraine first surfaced in October last year after closer ties between Kim and Putin. Experts warn that the North Korean soldiers, from an “elite” unit called the Storm Corps, are poorly trained for modern warfare. However, Ukraine’s top general said they are causing serious challenges on the battlefield, relying on Soviet-style tactics and their large numbers.
