Russia officially confirmed the involvement of North Korean soldiers in its war against Ukraine for the first time since the war broke out. Russia's General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov reported to President Vladimir Putin that North Korean troops had rendered "considerable help" in routing Ukrainian troops and liberating the Kursk border area and praised their "high professionalism and courage.".
The report comes weeks after South Korean and Western intelligence estimates that more than 10,000 North Korean troops were deployed in Russia, with an additional 3,000 troops deployed earlier this year as a result of significant casualties. The North Korean casualty losses were initially estimated at 4,000 by South Korean media because they lacked experience in drone combat.
Putin said the Kursk area is now "fully liberated," something Ukraine denies, saying its troops are still in positions in parts of the oblast. The Russian president portrayed the victory as a move toward defeating the "neo-Nazi regime" in Kyiv, a trope frequently employed to explain the invasion.
The verification of the alliance brings attention to the intensifying Russia-North Korea partnership, which has been reported to involve arms deliveries and defense cooperation. The U.S. State Department recently verified that North Korean troops were "fighting on the battlefield" with Russian troops.
Key Points:
Troop numbers: More than 10,000 North Koreans sent, with ~4,000 killed.
Kursk dispute: Russia asserts total control; Ukraine disputes.
Partnership: North Korea supplies troops/arms; Russia supplies military technology/money.
The entry comes in the wake of mounting global focus on military alliances between Pyongyang and Moscow.
