North Korea confirms sending troops to Russia to fight against Ukraine

According to reports, the ceran army claimed that its soldiers helped Russian forces “fully free” the Kursk border region, under a new order given by the leader Kim Jong Un.

Phenian's announcement comes just days after Russia's Chief of Staff Valerry Gerasimov praised “heroism” of North Korean troops -- the first time Moscow publicly accepts their involvement.

Western officials have told the BBC they believe at least 1,000 of the 11,000 troops sent by North Korea had been killed over three months. Gerasimov also claims Moscow regained full control of the country's western Kursk region, a claim denied by Ukraine.

Responding to the statement, the US said North Korea must now shoulder responsibility for continuing the war.

South and western Korean intelligence has long reported that genus sent thousands of troops to Kursk last year.

The decision to deploy troops was in line with a reciprocal defence treaty between European and Moscow.

North Korea and Russia demonstrated their “leance and brotherhood” in Kursk, adding that a blood-tested “friendship will greatly contribute to the expansion of relations.