North Korea Declares Completion Of Military Operation In Russia’s Kursk Region

North Korea announced the completion of a military operation to "liberate" the Kursk region of Russia, which was launched under direct orders from leader Kim Jong-un, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

KCNA stated that Kim Jong-un personally decided to send North Korean forces to Russia, informing the Russian government in advance. "Comrade Kim Jong-un made a decision on the participation of our armed forces in the war, informed the Russian side about this, and in accordance with the agreement, issued an order to combat units of the armed forces of the republic to destroy the Ukrainian neo-Nazi occupiers and liberate the Kursk direction in cooperation with the armed forces of the Russian Federation," the report said.

North Korea emphasized that the operation in the Kursk sector had been "victoriously completed." The article also highlighted the role of North Korea’s Special Operations Group, confirming earlier reports by South Korean intelligence about their involvement.

Captured North Korean soldiers, identified as 26-year-old Ri and 21-year-old Baek, told Ukrainian forces they were part of the Main Intelligence Directorate under the North Korean Army’s General Staff. Initially, they were misidentified as members of the 11th "Assault" Corps. Many North Korean soldiers carried fictitious Russian documents to conceal their identities and were equipped with Russian military gear, although North Korean-made machine guns were also spotted.

Ukrainian Special Operations Forces collected genetic material from deceased soldiers to confirm foreign participation. Previously, both Russia and North Korea denied that North Korean troops were engaged in the conflict, despite videos and evidence to the contrary.

The Chief of the General Staff of Russia, Valery Gerasimov, officially acknowledged the involvement for the first time in a report to President Vladimir Putin. “I would like to specifically highlight the participation of the military personnel of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the liberation of the border areas of the Kursk region…. (North Korean servicemen) demonstrated high professionalism during the repulsion of the Ukrainian invasion," Gerasimov said.

Reports indicate that North Korea took steps to conceal the deaths of its soldiers. Families of the deceased received official death certificates under strict confidentiality agreements.

First reports of North Korean soldiers fighting in Kursk appeared in December 2024, when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of their presence. Ukrainian forces described North Korean troops as resilient and physically tough opponents, citing their ability to operate under intense battlefield pressure.

As of April 26, Ukraine’s General Staff estimated that North Korean forces had suffered over 4,500 killed and wounded in the Kursk sector. Estimates suggest that about 12,000 North Korean troops are currently deployed in Russia, with losses replenished over time.

China next?

On April 8, Zelenskyy revealed that Ukrainian forces captured two Chinese nationals fighting for Russia inside Ukraine.

“This happened in Donetsk. These are Chinese citizens fighting for the Russian army — not in Russia, but here in Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said. “We have their IDs, bank cards, and full personal data. And we believe there are many more.”

The two were captured near Tarasivka and Bilohorivka after a clash with a group of six Chinese fighters. They are now held by Ukraine’s Security Service as investigations continue.

China has denied the allegations.