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Putin May Award North Korean Soldiers for Fighting in Kursk Region, Kremlin’s Spokesperson Says

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Ivan_khomenko
Ivan Khomenko
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Putin May Award North Korean Soldiers for Fighting in Kursk Region, Kremlin’s Spokesperson Says
Russian soldiers ride an ATV in Kazachya Loknya, Kursk region, recently recaptured from Ukrainian forces. March 18, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it is possible that North Korean soldiers who took part in military operations in Russia’s Kursk region could be honored by Vladimir Putin.

Speaking to reporters on April 29, Peskov noted there were no concrete plans but added, “This cannot be ruled out,” according to Russian media outlet Interfax on April 29.

Peskov was responding to questions about whether soldiers from the North Korean Army might be recognized for their role in what Moscow describes as the liberation of border areas of the Kursk region from Ukrainian forces.

He added that inquiries about their potential participation in the upcoming Victory Day parade on May 9 should be directed to the Ministry of Defense.

Earlier, Russian state media published the first official footage showing North Korean troops assisting Russian forces in the Kursk region. The video, released by TASS on April 28, shows North Korean soldiers in Russian military gear undergoing combat training, including grenade handling, under Russian instructors.

The footage did not specify the exact location or date. North Korean forces were reportedly deployed after Ukraine’s surprise offensive in August 2024.

While Russian officials announced the full recapture of the Kursk region on April 26, Ukrainian authorities maintain that fighting continues in some areas.

The Kremlin confirmed its readiness to provide military aid to North Korea under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty signed in 2024.

Peskov said the treaty obliges both sides to offer mutual assistance and pointed to North Korean troops' involvement in Russia’s operations as proof of its effectiveness.

Moscow officially acknowledged the deployment only after the Kursk operation concluded.

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