Politics North Korea confirms own soldiers in Ukraine war
North Korea has confirmed for the first time that it has sent its own soldiers to support Russia in the war in Ukraine. The deployment was ordered by ruler Kim Jong Un, North Korea's state news agency KCNA reported. "The operations to liberate the Kursk region" had been completed victoriously, the North Korean military leadership was quoted as saying by KCNA.
28.04.2025, 03:09
SDA
Russia's military leadership also confirmed the deployment of North Korean soldiers in the Ukraine war for the first time on Saturday. Previously, neither country had confirmed or denied the deployment of troops.
According to the South Korean secret service, North Korea sent around 11,000 soldiers to support Russia last fall. These are said to have been deployed primarily in the region around the Ukrainian-occupied areas in Kursk, Russia. At the beginning of the year, North Korea is said to have deployed a further 3,000 soldiers, according to the South Korean military leadership. According to Seoul, North Korea's army is said to have suffered around 4,000 casualties in the Ukraine war, including both injuries and deaths.
In addition to the deployment of soldiers, North Korea continues to supply ammunition and weapons on a large scale to Russia, including short-range missiles, self-propelled howitzers and rocket launchers, according to the South Korean General Staff.
