Russia expects to continue to strengthen relations with North Korea in the coming time, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on April 26, 2025 - RT reported.
According to Ms. Zakharova, North Korean forces are deployed under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between Russia and North Korea, which took effect in December last year. The agreement includes a provision for mutual military assistance by all available means in the event of an attack.
"The solidarity that North Korean friends have shown is a testament to the truly high-level alliance between the two countries. We believe that bilateral relations will continue to be strengthened and developed," Zakharova told Komsomolskaya Pravda.
The presence of North Korean forces in Kursk province - which has long been rumored - was also officially confirmed at an online meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, General Valery Gerasimov.
According to General Gerasimov, North Korean soldiers " have demonstrated high professional qualifications, bravery and heroic spirit in combat".
He praised their resilience and appreciated the contribution of this force to the liberation campaign of the area around the town of Sudzha, which was once occupied by the Ukrainian army.
Kiev and Western countries have previously repeatedly accused North Korean forces of fighting in Kursk province, where Ukraine launched its offensive in August 2024. However, until April 26, neither Moscow nor Pyongyang had officially confirmed or denied the information.
President Putin has previously stressed that fulfilling obligations under the partnership agreement is a matter between the two countries.
After General Gerasimov reported on the complete liberation of Kursk Oblast from the Ukrainian army, President Putin stressed that this victory created conditions for the Russian army to develop an offensive position on other fronts. Mr. Putin also sent his congratulations to the Russian soldiers and commanders for the comprehensive victory in Kursk.
The Russian Defense Ministry said that during the fighting in Kursk province, the Ukrainian armed forces suffered heavy losses with more than 76,550 soldiers killed.
Ukraine also lost 412 tanks, 341 infantry fighting vehicles, 314 armored personnel carriers, 2,297 armored fighting vehicles, 2,803 motor vehicles, 647 self-propelled artillery and field artillery systems, 64 multi-purpose rocket launchers (including 15 US-made HIMARS complexes and 7 other MLRS systems), 31 anti-aircraft missile launchers and 11 ammunition transport vehicles.
