Vladimir Putin Expresses Gratitude to North Korea for Troop Support in Ukraine's Kursk

Russian President Vladimir Putin showed appreciation to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un through thanking him for transporting North Korean troops to defend Moscow against Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region. According to a Kremlin statement from Monday Putin celebrated the North Korean soldiers for their valor and loyalty as they fought alongside Russian fighters to protect their homeland. Putin announced through a Kremlin statement that he commended the North Korean soldiers who fought alongside Russian troops against their shared homeland based on his Monday announcement.

"The Korean friends acted, guided by the sentiments of solidarity, justice and real camaraderie," Putin said. He further added that Russia appreciates the help a lot and is "deeply grateful to comrade Kim Jong Un personally...and the North Korean people".

The statements from Putin emerged shortly after North Korea announced its military forces operating in Russia. APF reported that according to KCNA state news agency North Korean military forces assisted Russia in taking back lands that Moscow lost to Ukraine.

The North's Central Military Commission reportedly said, “The subunits of our armed forces participated in the operations for liberating the Kursk areas according to the order of the head of state of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.”

The North Korean leader's decision, NCMC said, aligned with a mutual defence treaty. "Those who fought for justice are all heroes and representatives of the honour of the motherland," Kim said, KCNA reported.

Moscow declared on Saturday that total control of Kursk region had been retained by Russian military forces after a Ukrainian offensive which had captured the area last year. The Ukrainian officials rejected Moscow's territory recapture announcement.