North Korea has officially confirmed for the first time that it sent troops to support Russia in the war against Ukraine. According to state news agency KCNA, North Korean soldiers assisted Russian forces in the “complete liberation” of the Kursk border region, following orders from Kim Jong Un.
This announcement comes shortly after Russia’s Chief of Staff, Valery Gerasimov, publicly praised the “heroism” of North Korean troops. Western intelligence had earlier estimated that at least 1,000 out of 11,000 North Korean soldiers sent to Kursk had been killed within three months. Despite Gerasimov’s claim that Russia has regained full control of Kursk, Ukraine has denied these reports.
The U.S. has condemned North Korea’s involvement, saying Pyongyang now shares responsibility for prolonging the conflict. South Korean and Western agencies have long reported the deployment, citing a defense treaty between Russia and North Korea. Kim Jong Un hailed the troops as heroes and said their actions would strengthen the bond between the two nations.
KCNA did not clarify the fate of the North Korean soldiers after the Kursk operation. Reports of their deployment surfaced last October, following a deepening alliance between Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who pledged mutual support against external aggression.
Military analysts have raised concerns about the effectiveness of the North Korean troops, many of whom belong to the so-called “Storm Corps.” Experts noted they are ill-prepared for modern warfare and often led by Russian officers with whom they struggle to communicate. Nevertheless, Ukrainian commander Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi warned that the sheer numbers and aggressive tactics of the North Korean soldiers have posed a serious challenge on the battlefield.
