BREAKING:
For the first time, North Korea officially admits that its soldiers are fighting against Ukraine.
North Korea is estimated to have sent around 12 000 – 15 000 to aid Russia in its invasion of Ukraine
🇺🇦🇰🇵🇷🇺 pic.twitter.com/FcWY7eJ6iB
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) April 27, 2025
The Central Military Commission of North Korea stated that the deployment of troops was authorized by a mutual defense treaty signed in June 2024 between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This treaty is considered the most significant defense agreement between the two countries since the Cold War. It requires both nations to provide immediate military support in case of an attack. North Korea’s goal was to help Russia retake the Kursk region, which was seized by Ukrainian forces in a surprise move in 2024. Kim Jong Un presented the deployment as a mission to eliminate Ukrainian occupiers labeled as neo-Nazis and to free Kursk alongside Russian forces. He praised the soldiers as heroes and announced plans to erect a monument in Pyongyang to commemorate their bravery.
north korea has officially joined the russian invasion of ukraine as of an hour ago. pic.twitter.com/BXFXFH0lw4
— Dean (@ideanoc17) April 28, 2025
The exact number of troops deployed or casualties suffered by North Korea was not disclosed. Estimates from U.S., South Korean, and Ukrainian intelligence suggest that between 10,000 to 12,000 North Korean soldiers were sent to Russia last autumn, with an additional 3,000 sent earlier this year. In March, South Korea’s military reported that around 4,000 North Korean soldiers had been killed or injured, underscoring the significant human cost of their participation. Despite their discipline and training, North Korean troops have encountered difficulties in battle due to their limited experience and lack of familiarity with modern warfare tactics like drone and artillery strikes. Nonetheless, Ukrainian officials recognize that these troops have strengthened Russia’s strategy of overwhelming Ukrainian defenses through sheer force in the Kursk conflict.
Other big news, via KIRBY –
The US now has proof North Korea provided arms for Russia to use in Ukraine – and released images of containers moving into Russia by ship.
“North Korea has provided Russia with more than 1000 containers of military equipment and munitions,” he said. pic.twitter.com/08YyineIU8
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) October 13, 2023
The timing of North Korea’s announcement is noteworthy as it followed closely after Russia’s claim of having fully recaptured Kursk, a claim disputed by Ukrainian authorities. If Russia’s alleged victory in Kursk is confirmed, it could diminish Ukraine’s negotiating position in peace talks facilitated by the U.S. The contested territory was considered a crucial bargaining chip for Kyiv in potential land-swap agreements to bring an end to the ongoing three-year conflict.
The United States has been actively pursuing a diplomatic resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war, with recent efforts centered on facilitating a ceasefire. On Saturday, President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Vatican City during Pope Francis’ funeral to discuss a potential peace deal. Trump publicly called for “very high-level talks” between Ukraine and Russia but expressed skepticism about Putin’s willingness to negotiate, a concern amplified by North Korea’s deepened involvement.
