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North Korea Acknowledges Troop Deployment to Assist Russia in Ukraine Conflict
On Monday, North Korea officially confirmed that it has deployed troops to support Russia in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine, marking a significant moment under the directive of leader Kim Jong-un. This deployment has been framed as an important contribution to the liberation of Russian territories currently contested by Ukrainian forces.
The completion of military operations in the Kursk region signifies what the North Korean state news agency, KCNA, describes as a “highest strategic level of the firm militant friendship” between Pyongyang and Moscow. This alliance has been emphasized as a critical component of their bilateral relations.
Russia recently asserted that Ukrainian troops had been driven out from the last remaining Russian village they occupied, although officials in Kyiv have refuted this claim, stating that their forces continue to operate in bordering areas like Belgorod.
The Central Military Commission of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party revealed that Kim Jong-un sanctioned the troop deployment in alignment with a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, signed the previous year. The commission noted, “Under the order of the head of state, the sub-units of the armed forces of the Republic regarded the territory of Russia as one of their own and proved the firm alliance between the two countries.”
WATCH | 2 captured North Korean soldiers interrogated in Kyiv, Ukraine says:
2 captured North Korean soldiers interrogated in Kyiv, Ukraine says
In a related development, Ukraine has released a video reportedly featuring two North Korean soldiers being interrogated after their capture in Kursk. The Ukrainian government referred to these individuals as “heroes” fighting for a noble cause, with state media quoting Kim as celebrating their contributions to the motherland.
North Korea has expressed pride in its alliance with what it terms a powerful state, noting, “It regards it as an honour to have an alliance with such a powerful state as the Russian Federation,” according to KCNA.
Estimates suggest that North Korea has dispatched approximately 14,000 troops to the conflict, including around 3,000 reinforcements to make up for earlier losses. While these troops have faced challenges due to a lack of armored vehicles and experience with drone warfare, reports indicate they have shown adaptability despite incurring significant casualties.
For the first time, Russia has publicly acknowledged the presence of North Korean soldiers fighting alongside its forces in Kursk, although prior to this announcement, neither nation had confirmed or denied such deployments.
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