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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called the North Korean soldiers who were sent to Russia’s Kursk Region “heroes,” describing their deployment as a “sacred mission.” Kim’s words were quoted by state-controlled news agency KCNA, which published a statement in multiple languages, including English.
“While making the decision on making the combat sub-units of our armed forces participate in the war, Comrade Kim Jong Un defined it as a sacred mission for further consolidating as firm as a rock the traditional friendship and solidarity between the DPRK and Russia, guaranteeing the development and prosperity of the two countries and defending the honour of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,” KCNA wrote.
The outlet quoted Kim directly as saying:
“They, who fought for justice, are all heroes who represent the honour of their motherland. In commemoration of the heroism and bravery displayed by the proud sons of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, a monument to their battle feats will soon be erected in our capital city, and before the tombstones of the fallen soldiers, flowers will be laid as a token of the motherland and the people praying for their immortality. The fighting spirit and heroism of the soldiers, who demonstrated the great name of the powerful and the glory of the victors, will shine forever on the high platform of respect and honour generation after generation.”
The above means that North Korea has officially confirmed — after months of denial — that it has sent its troops to support Russian forces in the war against Ukraine. KCNA reported that troops were sent to Russia several months ago to engage in combat operations near the frontlines in the Kursk Region, which has been the site of an incursion by Ukrainian forces since August last year.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) have given up most of the territory they held in Kursk, with fighting continuing around the Russian border villages of Oleshnya and Gornal.
After Kim’s statement was made public, Vladimir Putin personally expressed gratitude to the North Korean leadership for the “assistance of their fighters.” Putin added that he is “confident” the friendship between Russia and North Korea, “tempered on the battlefield,” will continue to “develop in all directions.”
One of these “directions” is the supply of munitions. According to a report by the UK-based nonprofit Open Source Centre (OSC), the DPRK has shipped at least 15,800 containers of artillery munitions to Russia since August 2023. This translates to between 4.2 and 5.8 million units of various types of ammunition, including 122mm and 152mm artillery shells, and 122mm mortar rounds.
North Korean munitions notably accounted for about half of all artillery shells fired by Russian forces in 2024. The figures cited in the report also mean that North Korea’s shipments to Russia in under two years far surpass the cumulative artillery aid provided to Kyiv by its leading European security partners, such as the UK and Germany, which combined have supplied just under a million rounds since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
Earlier in April, a NATO representative reported that North Korea had sent an additional 3,500 soldiers to Russia. Last year, according to NATO, Kim Jong Un deployed 11,000 soldiers to Russia to fight in Kursk. Of those, 1,500 were killed and another 3,500 wounded.
Reports have indicated that the North Koreans were being provided with Russian military uniforms, weapons, and identity documents bearing the names of residents from the ethnic republics of Yakutia and Buryatia, who “resemble North Koreans.” The tactic was reportedly being used by Russian commanders to disguise North Korea’s involvement in the conflict.
It remains unclear whether that will change following both Moscow and Pyongyang admitting that DPRK troops were indeed deployed to Russia.