North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has paid a rare emotional tribute to soldiers killed while fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine. At a ceremony in Pyongyang, Kim praised the soldiers as “a heroic army” and acknowledged the losses with tears in his eyes.
Kim’s comments were seen as a rare admission of military losses, with North Korea typically keeping quiet about such issues. The ceremony was also marked by tears from bereaved family members who paid tribute to their loved ones on a memorial wall.
North Korea has been sending troops to support Russia’s war effort since last year, and estimates suggest around 12,000 North Korean soldiers are currently fighting in Ukraine. Western officials believe that many of these soldiers have suffered heavy losses, with around 4,000 killed or wounded.
Kim’s regime has kept the extent of its involvement in the conflict secret, but this week’s ceremony marks a rare moment of transparency. The ceremony was followed by a banquet to celebrate the unit that returned from Russia.
The deployment of North Korean troops has raised concerns about what Moscow may be providing Pyongyang in exchange for its military support. Intelligence suggests that Pyongyang may receive advanced space or satellite technology and technology that could boost its nuclear weapons program.
Despite the heavy losses, Kim’s regime continues to cooperate with Russia, sending thousands of shipping containers of munitions to Moscow. The situation remains unclear, but one thing is certain: North Korea’s involvement in the conflict has brought a reclusive power into the heart of Europe’s war.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/21/asia/kim-jong-un-north-korea-soldiers-russia-ukraine-intl-hnk