North Korea confirms for first time it has sent troops to fight for Russia in Ukraine war

North Korea confirmed for the first time that its forces have joined Russia's Ukraine campaign, deploying over 14,000 troops under orders from leader Kim Jong-un. The alliance is described as a "firm militant friendship" at the highest strategic level. While Russia claimed Ukrainian forces were expelled from a Russian village, Kyiv denied this, while North Korean officials cited losses and adapting quickly in the battle despite lacking advanced equipment. Both Russia and NK confirmed for the first time that troops are fighting together in Kursk, with neither side previously acknowledging such deployment.