Russian State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin praised North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for what he called the “liberation of Kursk,” thanking North Korean troops for helping Russia fight Ukrainian forces.

North Korea has reportedly sent soldiers, missiles, and ammunition to support Russia’s war effort in Ukraine, including deployments in the Kursk region.

In return, analysts say Pyongyang is receiving financial aid, food, energy, and military technology from Moscow despite international sanctions.

Russian officials, including Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, met with North Korean leaders in Pyongyang to expand long-term military cooperation, The Moscow Times has reported.

Reports also suggest thousands of North Korean troops have been killed or captured during the conflict, highlighting the scale of their involvement.