North Korea Dedicates Memorial to Soldiers Who Died Fighting for Russia in Ukraine

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un unveiled a memorial in Pyongyang for North Korean soldiers who died fighting on the side of Russia in its war with Ukraine on April 27, 2026. Kim Jong-un called the opening of the memorial a 'new history in the friendship with Russia written in blood,' according to The New York Times.

Kim Jong-un and a high-level Russian delegation attended the memorial event in Pyongyang.

Kim Jong-un embraced North Korean veterans of the war and Russian delegates at the memorial event. Kim Jong-un and Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov unveiled a memorial in Pyongyang for North Koreans who died fighting in the Ukraine war. Military jets flew overhead and white balloons were released into the air during the unveiling of the memorial in Pyongyang.

Kim Jong-un and Andrey Belousov unveiled a statue and opened a memorial museum in Pyongyang. The opening of the Memorial Museum of Combat Feats at the Overseas Military Operations occurred on Sunday. The memorial opening coincided with the first anniversary of Russia's recovery of parts of Kursk, according to Russia.

At least 15,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to help Russia recapture parts of western Kursk, South Korean intelligence reported via BBC News. About 2,000 North Koreans have died in the Ukraine conflict, according to South Korean intelligence via BBC News.

Hundreds of North Korean soldiers have died in the fighting on the side of Russia in its war with Ukraine, South Korean intelligence officials estimated via Just the News.

Kim Jong-un assured Belousov that North Korea 'will as ever fully support the policy of the Russian Federation to defend the national sovereignty, territorial integrity and security interests,' according to state media. Kim Jong-un said Russia will 'surely win a victory in the just sacred war,' according to state media.

Andrey Belousov discussed long-term military co-operation with North Korean officials, according to Russian news agencies via BBC News.

Kim Jong-un met with Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of Russia's parliament. Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Kim Jong-un sent arms and thousands of troops to Russia after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine launched a surprise incursion in Kursk in August 2024.

Russia regained full control of the Kursk region in 2025, according to Russia. Putin thanked Kim Jong-un for supporting Russia's war during a meeting on the sidelines of China's military parade in Beijing in September 2025. 'Your soldiers fought courageously and heroically,' Putin told Kim Jong-un in September 2025, according to BBC News.

Putin and Kim Jong-un signed a deal in June 2024 pledging mutual help in the event of aggression against either country. Kim Jong-un hailed the June 2024 treaty as the 'strongest ever,' according to BBC News. North Korea promised to send thousands of workers to help rebuild Kursk.