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By Heraldviews

North Korea has confirmed for the first time that it sent troops to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, marking a rare admission of foreign military activity by the isolated regime.

In a report published Sunday by the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Pyongyang said its soldiers aided Russia in “completely liberating” the Kursk region, following orders from leader Kim Jong Un. The announcement comes days after Russia’s top military official, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, praised the “heroism” of North Korean troops.

U.S. officials quickly condemned the move, warning that North Korea must now “bear responsibility” for prolonging the war. South Korean and Western intelligence agencies had previously reported that Pyongyang deployed roughly 11,000 troops to the region last year under a mutual defense agreement with Moscow.

At least 1,000 North Korean soldiers have reportedly died in combat, Western officials said.

Ukraine disputes Russia’s claim of full control over the Kursk region, where fighting continues. Ukrainian commanders say the influx of North Korean troops, reportedly from the elite Storm Corps, has added pressure on their forces.

“They rely on numbers and Soviet-style tactics,” Ukraine’s top general, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said.

KCNA did not disclose the current status of North Korean troops or whether they would return home. The report emphasized “blood-forged friendship” between Moscow and Pyongyang, suggesting further cooperation in the conflict.

The development follows a 2024 pact between the two nations, pledging mutual support in the event of foreign aggression, a clause now invoked to justify Pyongyang’s military involvement.

Military analysts say the deployment signals deepening ties and a more direct role by North Korea in global conflicts, a shift likely to increase tensions across Asia and beyond.