Russian chief Vladimir Putin has confirmed the involvement of North Korean troops on Russia’s facet within the battle in opposition to Ukraine following an announcement by North Korean chief Kim Jong Un and has "thanked" them. The US State Division has expressed "concern" and said that navy help for Russia from North Korea should stop.

Supply: Sky Information, citing a spokesperson for the US State Division; Russian information outlet Kommersant

Particulars: Sky Information reported that the US State Division had said it’s "involved" about North Korea’s "direct involvement" within the battle.

In an e-mail, a spokesperson for the division stated that "navy deployment to Russia and any help supplied by the Russian Federation [to North Korea] in return should finish".

In the meantime, the Kremlin reported on Monday 28 April that Putin "thanked the North Korean items for collaborating in battles in opposition to the formations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Kursk Oblast".

The Kremlin chief said that "the Russian individuals will always remember the heroism of the Korean particular forces fighters" who "gave their lives for Russia, for our shared freedom".

Background:

• North Korean chief Kim Jong Un confirmed the deployment of troops to Russia to battle in opposition to Ukraine, stating that this complies with the provisions of the Complete Strategic Partnership Treaty between North Korea and Russia.
• The Common Workers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Russia has misplaced greater than 62,000 troopers and greater than 4,500 North Korean servicemen within the Kursk operational zone because the begin of the Kursk operation.
• The Korea Institute for Defence Analyses (KIDA) reported that North Korea has earned over US$20 billion via its involvement in Russia's battle in opposition to Ukraine.
• An investigation by Reuters in cooperation with the Open Supply Centre (OSC) revealed that over the previous 20 months North Korea has provided Russia with not less than 4 million artillery shells that are being extensively used within the battle in opposition to Ukraine. The deliveries have been happening on a big and systematic scale through sea and rail routes, considerably boosting Russian navy capabilities.
• Analysts on the Institute for the Research of Warfare (ISW) consider that "North Korea is utilizing the battle in Ukraine as a testing floor for its personal navy capabilities".

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