North Korean Soldiers Praised by Russia for Fighting Ukraine

 

Top Russian Official Praises North Korean Troops Fighting in Ukraine

A senior Russian official has commended North Korean troops for their role in supporting President Vladimir Putin’s military campaign in Ukraine.

Sergei Shoigu, secretary of Russia’s Security Council and former defense minister, praised the North Korean forces reportedly deployed in the Kursk region, describing them as having fought “valiantly,” according to Russian state news agency TASS on Thursday.

This marks a notable shift from earlier statements by the Kremlin. Just months ago, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed claims from Ukraine and South Korea, denying North Korea’s involvement. However, both Moscow and Pyongyang confirmed the deployment in April, signaling deepening military ties between the two countries.

Back in December, officials in Kyiv and Seoul reported that Pyongyang had sent an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 troops to Russia to engage Ukrainian forces.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Shoigu emphasized the commitment of the North Korean forces, saying they fought “as if defending their own land.” He extended his gratitude to North Korean officials for their support in the Kursk border region, where Ukraine had launched a cross-border attack the previous year.

Russia claimed in April that its forces had successfully repelled Ukrainian troops from the area.

Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council official Andriy Kovalenko stated in March that North Korean troops were launching attacks in Kursk “in columns,” storming the front lines.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has hailed the deployed troops as “heroes,” declaring their mission in Russia’s border region a “sacred mission.” The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted Kim as saying, “Those who fought for justice are heroes and representatives of our motherland’s honor.”

The Kremlin recently released video footage showing North Korean soldiers in training exercises, including instruction on grenade launchers, anti-drone tactics, and trench clearing.

In a statement in late April, Kim said the deployment had strengthened the “militant ties” between Pyongyang and Moscow. “We are pleased that the participation of our armed forces in the war has further solidified our alliance,” he said.

President Putin echoed the sentiment, stating, “The Russian people will never forget the bravery of North Korean special forces. We will always honor them alongside our Russian comrades who gave their lives for our shared freedom.”

South Korea has strongly condemned the deployment. In a statement, its Foreign Ministry said: “By publicly acknowledging the deployment and claiming it adheres to international law, Russia and North Korea are mocking the international community. We strongly condemn this action.”

The ministry also emphasized that the troop deployment and broader military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang constitute serious violations of international law, including the UN Charter and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

In a March YouTube video, Ukrainian official Kovalenko described the situation grimly: “The enemy is throwing everything he can at the Kursk region. North Korean troops are storming forward in columns, running across open fields.”

It remains unclear whether Pyongyang intends to send additional troops. South Korea continues to assert that any deployment of North Korean forces to Russia constitutes a breach of international law.