Putin was briefed on the liberation of Kursk region - Russia officially acknowledged that DPRK soldiers helped

The Russian Ministry of Defence has informed Vladimir Putin about the liberation of Kursk region from the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Screenshot from the video

Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valerii Gerasimov has reported to Vladimir Putin on the complete liberation of the territory of the Kursk region.

This was reported by the Kremlin.

During the report, Gerasimov said that the last settlement was liberated from the Ukrainian military on Saturday, 26 April. It is the village of Gornal. He stated that during the Kursk operation, the Ukrainian Defence Forces allegedly lost 76,000 of their military.

In addition, the Russian Defence Ministry officially recognised the participation of DPRK soldiers in the war for the first time. Gerasimov said that soldiers and officers of the North Korean army are taking part in the war in accordance with the strategic partnership agreement between the two countries.

«The DPRK soldiers showed high professionalism during the liberation of the Kursk region from the Ukrainian army. The DPRK military, acting side by side with the Russian military in the Kursk region, showed resilience and heroism,»said Valerii Gerasimov.

As you know, 8,000 North Korean soldiers fought in the Kursk direction. In addition, in 2024, North Korea sent thousands of workers to Russia despite a UN Security Council resolution that does not allow it. The DPRK citizens were sent to construction sites because Russia lacks manpower, as men are fighting against Ukraine.

On 12 March, it became known that Russian troops had entered the town of Sudzha in the Kursk region. ISW analysts, referring to geolocation footage from Russian Telegram channels, noted that in recent days, Russian troops have been advancing in the area and taking control of a number of settlements.