North Korea Acknowledges Deploying Troops to Russia

North Korea has officially confirmed for the first time that it has sent troops to fight alongside Russian forces in the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The announcement came in a statement from the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers’ Party, published through the country’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

According to KCNA, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the deployment of soldiers to assist Russia in the battle for the Kursk region under the terms of a mutual defense treaty signed with Russian President Vladimir Putin last year. Kim described the troops’ mission as helping to “annihilate and wipe out the Ukrainian neo-Nazi occupiers” and praised the soldiers as “heroes and representatives of the honour of the motherland.”

North Korea’s statement said its forces had contributed to reclaiming Russian territory previously held by Ukrainian troops in Kursk. Russia’s Chief of Staff, Valery Gerasimov, also recently acknowledged the involvement of North Korean troops, commending their “heroism” and stating they provided “significant assistance” in regaining control of the region.

Following Pyongyang’s confirmation, President Putin expressed his gratitude to Kim Jong Un, emphasizing the “solidarity, justice, and genuine comradeship” demonstrated by North Korean forces. North Korea, in turn, called its alliance with Russia “an honor” and said their cooperation would further strengthen ties between the two nations.

While Moscow claims to have fully retaken Kursk, Ukraine’s General Staff maintains that fighting is still ongoing in parts of the region.

Estimates about the size and impact of North Korea’s deployment vary. Ukrainian officials reported that around 14,000 North Korean soldiers were sent, including 3,000 reinforcements after early losses. According to different sources, casualty estimates for North Korean forces range widely — from about 1,200, according to U.S. officials, to as many as 4,000, based on Ukrainian figures. Analysts note that North Korean troops initially struggled due to limited experience with modern warfare tactics, such as drone operations, but adapted quickly on the battlefield.

Reports suggest that many of the North Korean troops belong to the “Storm Corps,” a unit described as elite but relatively inexperienced with the conditions of contemporary conflict. Despite initial setbacks, Ukrainian commanders have acknowledged the significant numerical presence and persistent tactics of North Korean forces on the front lines.

The United States has criticized North Korea’s involvement, stating that third-party support has helped perpetuate Russia’s war in Ukraine. The US government has urged all parties supporting Moscow to cease their assistance.

The broader implications of North Korea’s involvement remain unclear. KCNA did not specify whether North Korean troops would return home following their mission in Kursk, nor what future military cooperation might entail.

Reuters, BBC, and Al Jazeera contributed to this report.