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North Korea has officially acknowledged its deployment of troops to support Russia in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, an action reportedly ordered by leader Kim Jong-un.
According to the North’s state-run KCNA news agency, the culmination of hostilities in Russia’s Kursk region exemplified the “highest strategic level of the firm militant friendship” shared between North Korea and Russia.
Recently, Russia asserted that Ukrainian forces had been ousted from their last stronghold in a Russian village during this conflict. However, Ukrainian officials disputed this claim, stating their forces remain active in Belgorod, a neighboring region.
The Central Military Commission of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party noted that the decision to deploy troops was made in accordance with the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed by Kim and President Putin in 2024.
KCNA reported the commission stating, “Under the order of the head of state, the sub-units of the armed forces of the Republic regarded the territory of Russia as part of their own nation, evidencing the strong alliance between the two countries.”
Kim was quoted as saying, “Those who fought for justice are all heroes and representatives of the honor of the motherland.”
North Korea expressed pride in its alliance with “such a powerful state as the Russian Federation,” according to KCNA.
Ukrainian officials estimate that North Korea has sent around 14,000 troops to Russia, which includes 3,000 reinforcements to compensate for casualties. Despite facing challenges such as a lack of armored vehicles and limited experience in drone warfare, these forces have reportedly adapted more swiftly than anticipated.
For the first time, Russia confirmed on Saturday that North Korean soldiers have been actively fighting alongside Russian forces in Kursk, a detail that had not been previously verified by either nation.
Source
www.theguardian.com