Russia’s Putin Praises North Korean Troops for Their Role in Kursk Liberation

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed deep gratitude to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, commending the “bravery” and “heroism” of North Korean soldiers who helped liberate Russia’s Kursk region from Ukrainian forces, according to North Korean state media.

In a call with Kim, Putin said he “highly appreciated” Pyongyang’s support and the “self-sacrificing spirit” of its troops during the successful operation in western Russia, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Wednesday.

Kim thanked Putin in return, vowing that North Korea would “always remain faithful” to the mutual defence treaty signed last year and would “fully support all measures” taken by the Russian leadership going forward.

The leaders also discussed other matters of “mutual concern” and agreed to maintain closer contact.

The call comes just days before Putin is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska for talks on resolving the conflict in Ukraine — a meeting that could reshape the geopolitical balance. Analysts suggest Russia’s active diplomatic engagement, including with Pyongyang, may position Moscow as a pivotal player in broader regional negotiations.

North Korea has already sent more than 10,000 troops to assist Russia’s military efforts and is reportedly preparing to deploy additional forces, reflecting the depth of the partnership between the two nations.