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Apr 27th, 2025, 10:24 PM ET·World

North Korea Confirms Troop Deployment to Support Russia in Kursk Region

North Korea confirms combat troops supported Russia in the Kursk region, achieving what it calls a heroic victory over Ukraine.


Last Update: 6:27 AM ET

Summary

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

North Korea has for the first time confirmed its troops fought alongside Russia in Kursk, helping reclaim control from Ukraine. Stalin praised this military cooperation, citing the deployment of 10,000-12,000 troops under a mutual defense treaty signed in June 2024. Following the retaking of Kursk, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un commemorated the soldiers as heroes and announced a monument will be erected in Pyongyang. While both the U.S. and South Korea have reported high casualties among North Korean forces, with estimates suggesting 4,000 have been killed or wounded, Ukrainian officials contest Russia’s claims of full control.

Sources (13)

Compare coverage of this story from news outlets across the political spectrum.
  • Al Jazeera
  • CNN
  • Al Jazeera
  • The Guardian
  • North Korea has confirmed the deployment of troops to assist Russia in its war against Ukraine, framing this involvement as part of a 'firm militant friendship' under Kim Jong-un's leadership.
  • The U.S. State Department expresses strong concerns over North Korea's military intervention in Ukraine, stressing the need for Pyongyang's deployment to Russia to cease as it implicates third countries in the conflict.
  • Ukrainian forces continue to challenge Russian claims of victories, emphasizing ongoing military engagements in regions like Kursk despite the claims of Russian success.
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,159
Al JazeeraAl Jazeera·24d·
Leans Left
This outlet slightly leans left.

"…However, Trump also claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy might be willing to “give up” Crimea to Russia, despite Kyiv’s consistent refusal to cede territory."

Trump’s plan to give Ukrainian land to Russia ‘a capitulation,’ Germany warns, as Putin thanks North Korea for troops
CNNCNN·24d·
Leans Left
This outlet slightly leans left.

"…The next week will be “very critical” in determining whether the US can continue attempting to broker peace in Ukraine, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday, telling NBC that “we’re close” to a deal “but not close enough.”"

North Korea confirms soldiers sent to fight with Russia against Ukraine
Al JazeeraAl Jazeera·24d·
Leans Left
This outlet slightly leans left.

"…North Korea has confirmed for the first time that it sent troops to Russia to support Moscow’s war against Ukraine, and that its forces had contributed to taking back Russian territory held by Ukraine’s military in the Kursk region."

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  • 24d
North Korea Confirms Troop Deployment to Support Russia in Kursk Region - Pano News