Russian officials confirmed for the first time publicly that North Korean soldiers have been fighting alongside them in the war in Ukraine, as U.S. President Donald Trump shows his patience is running thin with Russia on peace talks in Ukraine.

In a significant admission, Russia confirmed North Korean military personnel are fighting alongside its forces in Ukraine, validating claims from Zelenskyy and South Korea. Valery Gerasimov reported to Putin that North Korean soldiers provided substantial support,

Russia announced the liberation of the Kursk region from Ukrainian forces, with North Korean troops playing a significant role. Ukraine disputes this claim, stating that fighting is still ongoing.