Russian Parliament Speaker Volodin Attends North Korean Memorial for Troops in Ukraine War
Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of Russia's lower house, arrived in North Korea on April 25, 2026, to attend a memorial museum opening honoring North Korean soldiers killed in the Ukraine war. The visit includes meetings with North Korean parliament colleagues. It follows North Korea's deployment of troops to support Russia after a 2024 treaty.
nknews.orgPyongyang, April 25, 2026 - Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of Russia's lower house of parliament, visited North Korea on April 25, 2026, to attend the opening ceremony of a memorial museum honoring soldiers killed while fighting for Russia in its war with Ukraine, Yonhap reported.
Volodin arrived in the DPRK on a working visit, according to Yonhap citing a Tass report from the Duma press service. DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's official name.
The memorial museum is located in Pyongyang and honors the courage of Korean servicemen who took part in the liberation of the Kursk region, Yonhap reported via Tass citing the Duma press service. North Korea is set to open the Memorial Museum of Combat Feats at the Overseas Military Operations in Pyongyang.
Volodin will attend the opening ceremony on Sunday, on the instruction of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Yonhap reported citing Tass.
He will also meet with colleagues from the North Korean parliament. Jo Yong-won, chairman of the North's Supreme People's Assembly, received Volodin upon his arrival in North Korea, according to Yonhap citing Tass. North Korea deployed around 15,000 combat troops to support Russia in the war after leader Kim Jong-un and Putin signed a strategic partnership treaty in June 2024, Yonhap reported.
On April 26, 2025, Russia declared it had recaptured the Kursk region from Ukrainian forces, with North Korean troops reportedly playing a role in the operation, according to Yonhap.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
4 events- 2026-04-25
Vyacheslav Volodin visited North Korea to attend the opening ceremony of a memorial museum.
1 sourceYonhap - 2026-04-25
Jo Yong-won received Volodin upon his arrival in North Korea.
1 sourceYonhap - 2025-04-26
Russia declared it had recaptured the Kursk region from Ukrainian forces, with North Korean troops reportedly playing a role.
1 sourceYonhap - 2024-06
Kim Jong-un and Putin signed a strategic partnership treaty, after which North Korea deployed around 15,000 troops to support Russia.
1 sourceYonhap
Potential Impact
- 01
The memorial opening may boost domestic propaganda in North Korea regarding its international military role.
- 02
Strengthened military ties between Russia and North Korea could lead to further joint operations.
- 03
Potential escalation in the Ukraine conflict due to continued foreign troop involvement.
Transparency Panel
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