Pyongyang Says Putin Praises North Koreans’ ‘Heroism’ in Kursk Liberation

North Korean state media has reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the “bravery” and “heroism” of North Korean soldiers who helped retake Russia’s Kursk region from Ukrainian forces. The comments were made during a phone call with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Putin expressed deep appreciation for North Korea’s support and highlighted the “self-sacrificing spirit” of its troops during the liberation of this western Russian region.

In response, Kim conveyed his “heartfelt thanks” to Putin and pledged that Pyongyang would “always remain faithful” to the spirit of the mutual defence treaty signed between the two countries last year. He also promised “full support” for any measures taken by Russia’s leadership in the future. KCNA reported that the two leaders exchanged views on matters of mutual concern and agreed to maintain closer contact moving forward.

The call comes just days before Putin’s scheduled meeting with United States President Donald Trump in Alaska, where the two leaders are expected to discuss ways to end the war in Ukraine. This conversation between Kim and Putin reflects the increasingly close ties between North Korea and Russia, especially at a time when Moscow is facing growing isolation on the global stage.

Jenny Town, director of the Korea program at the Stimson Center in Washington, DC, noted that while many uncertainties remain, the call hints at a potential role for Russia in opening a diplomatic pathway between the United States and North Korea—similar to South Korea’s role in 2018. She suggested that although it might not be the central topic at the upcoming Putin–Trump meeting, it is likely to be part of the broader conversation.

This show of solidarity follows Kim’s meeting last month with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, during which Kim pledged that Pyongyang would “unconditionally support” all Russian actions in Ukraine. According to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, North Korea has already deployed more than 10,000 troops to assist Russia in its war against Ukraine and has prepared plans to send several thousand more.

In April, Putin declared that Russian forces had completely recaptured the Kursk region. However, Ukrainian officials disputed this claim, stating that the entirety of the region was not under Russian control. Despite the contested nature of this announcement, Russia has continued to frame the operation as a significant military success, bolstered by its international allies such as North Korea.

Looking ahead to the summit in Alaska, Trump is expected to push Putin toward accepting a peace agreement. The U.S. president has said he will likely be able to determine within the “first two minutes” of their meeting whether a deal is possible. He suggested that any potential agreement might involve territorial exchanges or adjustments between Moscow and Kyiv.

The developments underline the deepening military and political alignment between Russia and North Korea. As Russia turns to unconventional allies to offset Western pressure, Pyongyang appears committed to expanding its role as a strategic partner, offering both military manpower and political backing in the ongoing Ukraine conflict.