Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed Saturday that North Korean troops are actively fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, crediting their assistance in what he claimed was the successful recapture of the Kursk region. The announcement, delivered during a televised meeting with Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, marked the Kremlin's first public acknowledgment of North Korea's military involvement in the conflict.
"I would like to separately note the participation ... of military personnel of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," Gerasimov told Putin. He added that North Korean soldiers had provided "significant assistance" under a "comprehensive, strategic partnership" between Moscow and Pyongyang.
Putin praised his forces for achieving "the full defeat of the enemy in the Kursk border region," stating the victory "creates conditions for further successful actions by our troops in other important parts of the front." The Kremlin leader framed the development as another step toward bringing "the defeat of the neo-Nazi regime closer," echoing rhetoric he has used since the start of the invasion.
Ukraine disputed Putin's claims. The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces stated in a Telegram post that "Ukrainian defensive operations in certain areas of Kursk Oblast continue," emphasizing that Ukrainian forces continue to hold positions and perform assigned tasks.
South Korean media previously reported that more than 11,000 North Korean troops were deployed to western Russia earlier this year, with an additional 3,000 arriving between January and February after suffering heavy casualties. The State Department in November confirmed North Korean soldiers were participating in combat operations after receiving training in drone warfare and basic infantry operations.
The revelation comes amid renewed U.S. diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire. President Donald Trump met privately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral in Rome. In a post on Truth Social, Trump described it as a "very productive" conversation and called for an end to the "cruel and senseless war."
"There was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days," Trump wrote. "It makes me think that maybe he doesn't want to stop the war, he's just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through 'Banking' or 'Secondary Sanctions.' Too many people are dying!!!"
Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine have grown increasingly strained in recent weeks. Trump warned that the United States could walk away from mediation efforts if a peace deal does not materialize soon.
Putin's comments, coming two weeks before Russia's annual "Victory Day" celebration, sought to reinforce the Kremlin's longstanding narrative that frames Ukraine's government as "neo-Nazi." Zelensky, who is Jewish, has consistently rejected that characterization.
