Quote from Alex bobby on April 28, 2025, 4:50 AM

North Korea Finally Admits Sending Troops to Fight for Russia in Ukraine

For months, Moscow and Pyongyang brushed off accusations from South Korea and the West that North Korean troops were fighting in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Their official responses were vague, emphasising "lawful military cooperation" without ever fully confirming the claims.

That all changed this week.

On Monday, North Korea officially acknowledged that it had deployed troops to support Russia. The confirmation came in a statement from the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers' Party, quoting leader Kim Jong-un. Kim hailed the soldiers as “heroes” and “representatives of the honour of the motherland,” fighting alongside Russian forces for what he called "justice."

The deployment was made under the 2024 mutual defence treaty between Pyongyang and Moscow. According to North Korean state media, their forces helped push Ukrainian troops out of contested Russian territories.

Meanwhile, Russia announced that it had expelled Ukrainian forces from the Kursk region, which was lost briefly to Ukraine during a surprise offensive last year. Although independent verification is pending, the timing of these announcements underlines a coordinated message from both governments.

Russian Military Praises North Korean Fighters

Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the Russian General Staff, praised North Korean troops for fighting "shoulder to shoulder" with Russian forces. He noted their "professionalism, fortitude, and heroism" in repelling Ukrainian attacks in the Kursk region.

This confirmation supports earlier claims by South Korean, U.S., and Ukrainian officials that 10,000 to 12,000 North Korean soldiers had been deployed to Russia last year.

Previously, Moscow and Pyongyang had only emphasised the legality of their cooperation without admitting to troop involvement — a position they’ve now abandoned.

Heavy Losses Among North Korean Forces

North Korea’s commitment has come at a steep cost. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff estimate that about 4,000 North Korean troops have been killed or wounded while fighting in Ukraine.

After suffering heavy losses, many North Korean fighters were reportedly withdrawn from the frontlines earlier this year. However, South Korean intelligence indicates that North Korea sent another 3,000 soldiers to Russia in January and February 2025, reinforcing their commitment.

Besides manpower, North Korea has also provided Russia with short-range ballistic missiles, self-propelled howitzers, and rocket launchers.

Strengthening the Moscow-Pyongyang Axis

During a visit by Kremlin security chief Sergei Shoigu last week, Kim Jong-un reiterated North Korea’s unwavering support for Russia. In return, Shoigu thanked Pyongyang for its solidarity on "all critical geopolitical issues," particularly regarding Ukraine.

This growing partnership was formalised in 2024 with a landmark defence pact, where both nations pledged mutual military support if either is attacked. The pact marks a significant shift in the balance of alliances on the global stage.

Challenges Ahead for Ukraine

News of North Korea’s continued deployments broke just as European leaders gathered in Paris to strengthen security guarantees for Ukraine. The "coalition of the willing" aims to fill gaps in aid and coordination, especially as U.S.-led ceasefire talks between Moscow and Kyiv move forward.

Earlier this week, hopes rose briefly when the U.S. announced both Russia and Ukraine agreed to a limited ceasefire in the Black Sea. However, Russia later conditioned the ceasefire on the lifting of Western sanctions — a demand Ukraine rejected.

With North Korean troops now openly fighting on the frontlines, the Ukraine conflict has taken on a new international dimension. Kim Jong-un’s gamble could reshape not only the future of Ukraine but also the broader global order.

As the war grinds on, one thing is clear: the battlefields in Ukraine are no longer fought by Ukraine and Russia alone — they are becoming the ground zero of new, dangerous alliances.

Conclusion

North Korea’s official admission of sending troops to support Russia in Ukraine marks a major turning point in the conflict. What was once dismissed as speculation by Pyongyang and Moscow is now confirmed reality, deepening the stakes for all sides involved.

As North Korean forces suffer heavy losses and continue to reinforce Russian positions, the Ukraine war is evolving into a broader global struggle — pulling isolated regimes into direct confrontation with the West. With new alliances hardening and ceasefire efforts hanging by a thread, the path forward looks increasingly uncertain.

What is clear, however, is that the conflict has outgrown its regional roots. It is now a defining battleground for the future of global power dynamics — and the world is watching closely.