Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude on Monday for the North Korean soldiers who have joined Russian forces in the fight to reclaim the Kursk region from Ukrainian control. Putin acknowledged the support as part of a broader bilateral strategic partnership between Russia and North Korea, emphasizing that the military cooperation adhered to international law.
In a statement, Putin praised the North Korean troops for their “solidarity, justice, and genuine comradeship,” affirming that Russia would always honor the memory of those soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. However, he did not specify if the deployment of North Korean troops had concluded.
Russia officially declared the recapture of Kursk complete on Saturday, although the security situation in the region remains unstable. Ukrainian military sources indicate that Ukrainian forces continue to hold portions of territory within the Kursk region, despite Russia’s claims of control.
Earlier on Monday, North Korea confirmed its military involvement for the first time. The North Korean state news agency KCNA reported that the deployment of troops, ordered by Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, was part of efforts to support Russia in the “liberation of the Kursk area.” KCNA described the mission as a success, claiming that it helped repel what it called the “adventurous invasion” by Ukraine.
According to South Korea’s intelligence service, approximately 11,000 North Korean soldiers were sent to support Russian forces late in 2024, with the majority stationed in areas around Kursk, which had been occupied by Ukrainian troops. An additional 3,000 soldiers were reportedly deployed in early 2025.
Seoul’s military intelligence estimates that North Korea’s military has suffered significant casualties, with around 4,000 soldiers either injured or killed during the conflict. In addition to sending troops, North Korea has been supplying Russia with significant quantities of military equipment, including short-range missiles, self-propelled howitzers, and rocket launchers, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.
This growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea marks a significant development in the ongoing Ukraine war, with both nations continuing to bolster their alliance as tensions with the West escalate.
