North Korea Officially Confirms Troop Deployment to Assist Russia in Ukraine Conflict
North Korea has made a historical announcement confirming, for the first time, that it has sent troops to fight for Russia in the ongoing war with Ukraine, acting under directives from its leader, Kim Jong-un. The state-run KCNA news agency highlighted this development as a significant step in the 'militant friendship' between North Korea and Russia following recent military operations in the Kursk region of Russia.
Last week, Russian officials claimed victory by expelling Ukrainian forces from a remaining village in the Kursk region, although Ukrainian sources disputed this and maintained that their troops were still engaged in operations in Belgorod, another bordering Russian area.
The decision to deploy North Korean troops aligns with a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed between Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2024. According to the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, Kim's order implied that North Korean armed forces should view Russian territory as akin to their own, reinforcing the alliance's strength.
Kim Jong-un expressed pride in this cooperation, calling those who fought for justice 'heroes' and 'representatives of the honour of the motherland,' as quoted by KCNA. The state news agency also emphasized North Korea's view of its partnership with Russia as an honour, positioning Russia as a powerful ally.
Reports indicate that North Korea has deployed approximately 14,000 troops to Ukraine, including 3,000 reinforcements to replace its casualties. Despite facing challenges due to a lack of armoured vehicles and limited experience in drone warfare, the North Korean soldiers have reportedly adapted quickly to the conditions of the conflict.
For the first time, Russia confirmed on Saturday that North Korean soldiers are actively participating alongside its military forces in the Kursk region of Ukraine. Prior to this announcement, neither Russia nor North Korea had publicly acknowledged the involvement of North Korean troops, making the recent confirmation a pivotal moment in the ongoing geopolitical dynamics surrounding the war in Ukraine.
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