North Korea finally admits they are helping Russia invade Ukraine
North Korea has finally confirmed that they are taking part in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, framing the move as a defense against a “Ukrainian invasion” of Russian territory, according to state media reports released on April 27.
The Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea praised its deployed units for “heroic feats” in what it described as operations to “annihilate the grave sovereignty infringement by the Ukrainian authorities.”
The commission stated that the deployment was ordered directly by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un under Article 4 of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty signed with Russia in 2024.
“The operations for liberating the Kursk area to repel the adventurous invasion of the Russian Federation by the Ukrainian authorities were victoriously concluded,” the commission said. It characterized North Korea’s involvement as part of a “sacred mission” to strengthen its traditional alliance with Moscow.
Kim Jong Un reportedly commended the soldiers’ efforts and announced plans to erect a monument in Pyongyang to commemorate their actions.
The U.S. State Department responded with concern, warning that North Korea’s direct military support for Russia further internationalizes the conflict.
A spokesperson urged Pyongyang to halt its assistance and stressed that third-party states “bear responsibility” for perpetuating the war.
Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov reported to President Vladimir Putin on April 26 regarding the status of operations in Kursk, explicitly acknowledging North Korean contributions to the military effort.
However, Ukrainian officials have contested Russian claims of full control in the region. Ukraine’s General Staff stated that defensive operations in “designated areas” of Kursk Oblast are ongoing. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on April 27 that Ukrainian forces continue “active defensive actions” in both Kursk and neighboring Belgorod oblasts.
The development follows earlier intelligence assessments. In October 2024, South Korean intelligence services reported that Pyongyang had dispatched approximately 1,500 special forces personnel to Russia, with plans to send up to 12,000 troops—a claim initially dismissed by North Korea as “groundless rumors.”
Further evidence of North Korea’s involvement surfaced in January 2025 when Ukrainian forces captured two North Korean soldiers in Kursk. President Zelenskyy instructed Ukraine’s Security Service to grant access to the detainees. South Korean authorities, who under their constitution consider North Koreans as citizens of the Republic of Korea, have indicated readiness to accept custody of the captured soldiers.
North Korea’s overt military engagement on Russia’s side marks a significant escalation in the conflict, complicating efforts to contain the war and adding new dimensions to the growing international fallout.