In a striking development that underscores deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 28 publicly thanked North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his soldiers for their role in helping Russian forces repel a Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk Region. The announcement marks a significant acknowledgment by Russia of direct North Korean involvement in its conflict with Ukraine – a move that could have wide-ranging geopolitical ramifications.

According to Putin’s statement, North Korean troops demonstrated “solidarity, justice, and true camaraderie” as they fought alongside Russian forces to liberate border territories previously seized by Ukrainian forces last August. The statement went further, praising the “heroism, high level of specialized training, and bravery” displayed by the North Korean soldiers, asserting they defended Russian soil “as their own.”

The cooperation stems from a bilateral treaty signed in June of the previous year between Russia and North Korea, which includes mutual defense clauses. While previous reports had hinted at expanding military ties between the two nations, this is the first time the Kremlin has officially acknowledged the presence of North Korean boots on the ground in Ukraine’s neighboring regions.

Putin’s message was not merely diplomatic courtesy. It emphasized that fallen North Korean soldiers would be honored equally alongside Russian servicemen, a significant gesture highlighting the depth of Moscow’s appreciation and the symbolic fusion of the two militaries. “They followed their duty with honor and valor and have covered themselves in timeless glory,” Putin declared.

Pyongyang also commented on its........

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