North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un held a lavish welcome-back ceremony this weekend for soldiers returning from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, publicly acknowledging the regime’s military role in the war and praising troops for their work in mine-clearing operations. The ceremony honored a regiment deployed to the Kursk region, where at least nine North Korean soldiers were killed.
Kim referred to the returning fighters as “engineers” and credited them with performing “a miracle” by clearing dangerous areas in less than three months. The speech, published in full by North Korea’s Foreign Ministry, claimed the soldiers were “courageous and responsible” while blaming “armed villains of the West” for the conflict.
According to South Korean and U.S. intelligence, North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid Russia’s war in Ukraine, marking one of the most significant foreign interventions in the conflict outside of NATO. A State Department spokesperson confirmed in 2024 that more than 10,000 North Korean soldiers had been deployed to eastern Russia, primarily to Kursk, with many actively participating in combat operations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released a video earlier this year showing captured North Korean fighters, further confirming the regime’s involvement. Ukrainian intelligence has estimated that Pyongyang may have deployed up to 15,000 troops, in addition to providing significant military aid—delivering an estimated 200,000–260,000 artillery shells monthly to Russia.
The public ceremony, which included Kim’s personal remarks and references to soldiers killed in the war, is the second such event this year. In July, North Korea broadcast footage of Kim weeping over the coffins of fallen soldiers draped in the regime’s flag. In August, Kim described the army as “the most powerful in the world.”
Military analysts in South Korea believe Kim’s public praise of engineers deployed in Ukraine is designed to showcase the strategic value of his forces and demonstrate that North Korea is contributing more than manpower—it is supplying specialized military expertise and testing advanced weapons in real combat scenarios.
Kim also took aim at the West for opposing his regime’s involvement and indirectly blamed Western nations for the outbreak of hostilities. He applauded the troops’ return, saying their work strengthened North Korea’s position on the world stage.
Russia’s war in Ukraine has increasingly relied on support from rogue states like Iran and North Korea. Putin’s 2024 visit to Pyongyang resulted in a formal mutual defense agreement with Kim, cementing their strategic alignment. Since then, North Korea’s material and military contributions have reportedly played a growing role in sustaining Russia’s campaign.
