Putin publicly thanked North Korea for fighting “shoulder to shoulder” with Russia in Ukraine, confirming the unprecedented deployment of troops from the isolated regime to the battlefields of Europe.

At a Glance

• Vladimir Putin has officially thanked North Korea and Kim Jong Un for sending troops to fight in Ukraine
• North Korea confirmed deploying soldiers to Russia under their mutual defense treaty signed in June 2024
• Putin made his statement following Ukraine’s withdrawal from Russia’s Kursk region
• South Korea estimates around 4,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded in the conflict
• The alliance signals a significant shift in global military alliances and threatens Western security interests

Putin’s Official Acknowledgment

Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly expressed gratitude to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un after Ukrainian forces withdrew from Russia’s Kursk region. The statement marks the first official acknowledgment from Russia of North Korean military participation in the Ukraine conflict. Putin’s words confirmed what Western intelligence had suspected for months – that soldiers from the isolated communist regime are now actively fighting in European territory for the first time in modern history.

Putin’s statement was unambiguous about the role North Korean forces played in recent military operations. “The Russian people will never forget the heroism of the DPRK special forces. We will always honor the heroes who gave their lives for Russia, for our common freedom, fighting side by side with their Russian brothers in arms,” Putin declared, using the official abbreviation for North Korea.

North Korea’s Confirmation

Following Putin’s acknowledgment, North Korea took the unusual step of confirming its military deployment to Russia. The country’s state media reported that Kim Jong Un personally ordered the troop deployment as part of obligations under a mutual defense pact signed in June 2024. This confirmation represents a significant shift in North Korea’s typically secretive military operations and suggests a growing confidence in its international standing through the Russian alliance.

“We are sincerely grateful – personally (…) to Comrade Kim Jong Un, the entire leadership and the people of North Korea,” stated an official Russian announcement.

North Korean state television broadcast statements celebrating their military’s involvement in the Kursk operation. A KRT newscaster declared that North Korean forces “made an important contribution in annihilating and wiping out the Ukrainian neo-Nazi occupiers by displaying mass heroism, unmatched bravery and self-sacrifice.” The propaganda value of this deployment for North Korea’s domestic audience is substantial, presenting their military as a globally significant force.

Strategic Partnership and Military Alliance

The deployment stems from a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement signed between Putin and Kim earlier this year. The agreement was quickly ratified by Russia’s State Duma and approved by the Federation Council, establishing what amounts to a de facto military alliance. This partnership includes provisions for mutual military assistance and joint actions when either nation faces security threats, marking a significant evolution in Russia-North Korea relations.

Beyond the immediate battlefield support, North Korea has been supplying conventional weapons to Russia, including artillery shells and missiles. In exchange, analysts believe North Korea seeks advanced military technologies and security guarantees that could significantly enhance its own defense capabilities. The arrangement potentially undermines decades of international sanctions designed to limit North Korea’s military development.

Casualties and International Reaction

The human cost of North Korea’s involvement appears substantial. South Korean intelligence estimates approximately 4,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded since their deployment to the Ukraine conflict. North Korea has reportedly begun preparations to honor its fallen soldiers with a monument and support programs for their families, indicating the deployment is being framed as a national sacrifice rather than a temporary intervention.

South Korea’s government has strongly condemned the deployment as a provocation to international security and urged North Korea to withdraw its troops immediately. The United States and its allies are likely to view this development as further evidence of an expanding anti-Western alliance that threatens the post-Cold War security order. Former President Donald Trump has already expressed skepticism about peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia reaching a conclusion soon.

Implications for the Ukraine War

The withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Kursk and the acknowledgment of North Korean troops represent a significant setback for Ukraine’s strategic position. Ukraine had launched its Kursk incursion as a bold move to create leverage in potential negotiations, but the operation ultimately proved unsustainable. Russia’s claimed victory in Kursk, bolstered by North Korean forces, may impact U.S.-brokered peace negotiations and shift battlefield momentum further in Russia’s favor.

North Korean troops are expected to maintain their presence in Russia despite the claimed recapture of Kursk, suggesting their role may expand to other fronts in the conflict. This development potentially introduces new tactical challenges for Ukrainian forces already struggling with ammunition shortages and Western aid delays. The involvement of a new military force with different training and operational approaches adds complexity to an already difficult battlefield environment.