Breaking News | Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un officially confirm North Korean troop participation in Ukraine.

For the first time, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un officially confirmed the participation of North Korean forces in the military operations in Ukraine. In separate statements made public on April 26 and April 28, 2025, both governments acknowledged that units of the Korean People's Army (KPA) fought alongside Russian troops during the battle for the Kursk region. This confirmation follows months of denials by Russian officials and marks a significant development following the signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between Russia and North Korea in June 2024, which includes provisions for mutual military assistance.
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The North Korea-Russia military partnership intensified after the June 2024 signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, which formalized military support in case of attack. (Picture source: Russian government)

In Russia, President Putin expressed gratitude to the North Korean leadership and military forces, emphasizing their operational role in the Kursk campaign. Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov reported that North Korean units participated in combat in accordance with Article 4 of the treaty, which stipulates immediate military assistance in case of attack. Gerasimov described their performance as professional and disciplined, noting that North Korean troops fought jointly with Russian formations such as the 76th and 106th Airborne Divisions, Akhmat regiments, and marine brigades from the Pacific and Black Sea Fleets. Putin mentioned that the North Korean soldiers would be honored in Russia similarly to Russian servicemen. Russian authorities reported that Ukrainian forces lost more than 76,000 personnel and 7,700 units of equipment during the Kursk campaign, and the operation officially ended on April 26, 2025. The Russian Foreign Ministry added that the cooperation between Russia and North Korea represented an expansion of bilateral ties, and preparations for possible North Korean participation in the May 9, 2025 Victory Day Parade were discussed, although not officially confirmed.

From North Korea’s side, the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea released a statement through Rodong Sinmun and KCNA confirming North Korea's military participation. The North Korean leadership framed the action as fulfilling obligations under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty and noted that Kim Jong-un personally ordered the deployment after evaluating the situation. The North Korean statement criticized Ukraine’s actions in Kursk and accused Ukrainian forces of committing acts of violence against civilians. North Korea also announced plans to build a monument in Pyongyang honoring the deployed units and to hold commemorative events for the personnel killed in action. North Korean sources described the deployment as contributing to ending the Ukrainian occupation of parts of Kursk and affirmed their commitment to future support for Russia under the treaty.

Historically, the North Korea-Russia military partnership intensified after the June 2024 signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, which formalized military support in case of attack. Prior to troop deployment, North Korea had already supplied Russia with large quantities of military equipment, including artillery shells, rockets, and ballistic missiles. Satellite imagery and intelligence indicated over 7,000 containers were shipped from North Korea to Russian ports. Despite evidence from Ukrainian and Western intelligence services suggesting North Korean involvement, the Kremlin had previously denied any North Korean troop presence until the conclusion of the Kursk operation.

The operational integration of North Korean forces was reported in detail by Russian war correspondents such as Alexander Kots, who explained that North Korean troops initially underwent additional training in Russia, became familiar with battlefield conditions, and progressively moved from reserve to frontline positions. They were described as maintaining operational discipline and secrecy, referred to under the codename "combat Buryats." Psychological operations by Ukrainian forces included dropping Korean-language leaflets calling for defection, but no confirmed surrenders occurred. Ukrainian intelligence agencies reported that North Korean soldiers were ideologically conditioned to avoid capture, reinforced by military codes emphasizing self-destruction over surrender.

Estimates regarding the North Korean deployment vary among sources. Ukrainian and South Korean assessments suggested that approximately 14,000 North Korean soldiers were initially sent, with an additional 3,000 reinforcements following combat losses. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky estimated about 4,000 casualties among North Korean forces, while U.S. intelligence placed the number closer to 1,200. Reports indicated that elite units such as the Storm Corps, trained for infiltration and sabotage missions, composed the core of the deployed forces. South Korean and Western intelligence agencies highlighted that the North Korean troops adapted to modern battlefield tactics despite their initial lack of experience in armored warfare and drone operations. Analysts warned that North Korean troop numbers could increase significantly if rotated, potentially reaching between 60,000 to 100,000 personnel.

North Korea’s participation appears linked to broader strategic and economic interests. Intelligence reports indicated that North Korean support was rewarded with substantial shipments of oil, food, and industrial goods from Russia, providing essential supplies to North Korea's economy under international sanctions. Furthermore, there are concerns that North Korea may gain access to advanced Russian military technologies, including missile and nuclear technology, thereby enhancing its long-term capabilities. Observers noted that North Korea’s mass production and export of weapons to Russia could strengthen its role as an arms supplier to other states aligned with Russia and China, altering the regional security landscape.