What did Valery Gerasimov say about North Korean troops in Russia’s war against Ukraine?

He said North Korean servicemen took part in fighting in the Kursk border region and helped Russian forces defeat the invading Ukrainian group. He described them as having fought alongside Russian servicemen with high professionalism and courage.

How many North Korean troops have South Korean officials estimated were sent to Russia?

South Korean officials estimate that North Korea has sent about 14,000 troops since last October. They also said about 3,000 reinforcements were sent this year.

What agreement did Putin and Kim Jong-un sign that Moscow cited in the troop deployment?

They signed the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership at their June summit last year. It commits both sides to provide military support without delay if either country comes under attack.

Top Russian general confirms North Korean troop dispatch to Ukraine war

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Summary

Russia’s top general confirmed in a videoconference with Vladimir Putin that North Korean troops have been fighting in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Valery Gerasimov said the North Korean troops helped liberate the Kursk border region and acted alongside Russian servicemen. It was the first acknowledgement of the deployment by a Russian official, and North Korea has not confirmed it.

Key Facts

Gerasimov said the North Korean troops participated in the liberation of the Kursk Region’s border areas under the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
He said soldiers and officers of the Korean People’s Army fought shoulder to shoulder with Russian servicemen and showed professionalism, courage and heroism.
South Korean officials estimate North Korea has sent about 14,000 troops since last October, including about 3,000 reinforcements this year.
The treaty between Putin and Kim Jong-un was signed at their June summit last year and includes a pledge of military support without delay if either side comes under attack.

By Yonhap

Published Apr 27, 2025 11:12 am KST

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, holds video talks with Valery Gerasimov, chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence near Moscow, Russia, April 26. EPA-Yonhap

Russia's top general has confirmed for the first time that North Korean troops have been fighting in Russia's war against Ukraine as he held talks with President Vladimir Putin.

Valery Gerasimov, chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, made the confirmation of the North Korean troop deployment in a videoconference with Putin on Saturday, noting the North Korean troops had played a crucial role in the liberation of the Kursk border region.

"I want to point out the participation of servicemen from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the liberation of the Kursk Region's border areas, who, in accordance with the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between our countries, provided significant assistance in defeating the invading group of the Ukrainian armed forces," Gerasimov said in a transcript of the videoconference posted on the website of the Kremlin, referring to the North by its official name.

"Soldiers and officers of the Korean People's Army, carrying out combat missions shoulder to shoulder with Russian servicemen, displayed high professionalism, fortitude, courage and heroism in repulsing the Ukrainian invasion."

It marks the first acknowledgement of the North Korean troop deployment by a Russian official. North Korea has yet to confirm the dispatch.

North Korea is estimated to have sent about 14,000 troops to fight in the war since last October in support of Moscow's aggression, including some 3,000 reinforcements this year, according to South Korean officials.

Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed the partnership treaty at their June summit last year, in which they committed to providing military support "without delay" in the event either of them comes under attack.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's military denied the Russian claim about its military being forced out of the Kursk region, according to a Reuters report.

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