Seoul, 28 April 2025 (dpa/MIA) - North Korea has confirmed for the first time that it sent troops to support Russia in the Ukraine war, with the deployment ordered by leader Kim Jong Un, according to a release published by North Korea's state news agency KCNA on Monday.

"The operations for liberating the Kursk area to repel the adventurous invasion of the Russian Federation by the Ukrainian authorities were victoriously concluded," KCNA reported, citing the North Korean military leadership.

On Saturday, Russia's military also acknowledged the deployment of North Korean soldiers in the Ukraine war for the first time. Previously, both nations had neither confirmed nor denied the troop deployment.

According to South Korea's intelligence agency, North Korea sent about 11,000 soldiers to support Russia late last year, primarily deployed in the region around the areas occupied by Ukraine in Russia's Kursk.

Another 3,000 soldiers were reportedly sent in early 2025, according to the South Korean military leadership.

Seoul claims that North Korea's army has suffered around 4,000 casualties in the Ukraine war, which includes both injuries and deaths.

In addition to sending troops, North Korea reportedly continues to supply Russia with large quantities of ammunition and weapons, including short-range missiles, self-propelled howitzers and rocket launchers, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.

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