Putin Acknowledges North Korean Troops Supporting Ukraine Warfare

Russian President Vladimir Putin and top military officials have publicly thanked North Korea for deploying troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine, specifically highlighting their role in the battle for Russia's Kursk region. North Korea confirmed for the first time that it sent soldiers, with both Russian and North Korean leaders praising the heroism and dedication of these forces and announcing plans to commemorate their involvement. Estimates from South Korean and U.S. officials suggest that North Korea has sent between 12,000 and 14,000 troops, with significant casualties reported among them. The deployment is framed as fulfilling the 2024 strategic partnership treaty between the two countries, which obliges mutual military support. Ukraine has denied Russian claims of being pushed out of the Kursk region, while the U.S. State Department criticized North Korea's involvement, stating that third-country support perpetuates the war and increases responsibility for ongoing conflict. Both Russian and North Korean sources emphasize that their battlefield cooperation has strengthened bilateral ties and will continue to do so.