Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken about North Korea's intervention in the Ukraine war for the first time.

Vladimir Putin has spoken out about North Korea’s assistance in the Ukraine war for the first time.

The Russian leader signed a mutual defence pact with Kim Jong Un last June.

Less than six months later, reports claimed North Korean troops were appearing on the frontline fighting against the Ukrainians.

They allegedly joined Putin’s forces trying to oust the Ukrainians holding the Russian region of Kursk, after it was seized in a surprise incursion last August.

The US, South Korea and Ukrainian intelligence officials said Pyongyang deployed up to 12,000 troops to Russia last year, in the country’s first major armed conflict since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.........

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