Kim Jong Un opens memorial for N Korean soldiers killed in Ukraine war

Kim Jong Un and Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov unveiled the memorial in Pyongyang. Ukraine war: North Korea's Kim Jong Un reaffirms support for Russia Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Kim Jong Un opened the memorial accompanied by Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov Wide shot showing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaking to soldiers wearing military uniforms as he stands on a monument in Pyongyang for Russian soldiers who died in the Ukraine war Kim Jong Un opens memorial for N Korean soldiers killed in Ukraine war North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov have unveiled a memorial in Pyongyang for North Koreans who have died fighting in the Ukraine war. Military jets flew overhead and white balloons were released into the air as Kim and Belousov unveiled a statue and opened a memorial museum. It is not known how many North Korean soldiers are fighting against Ukraine, but South Korean intelligence estimates that at least 15,000 have been sent to help Russia recapture parts of western Kursk. It is not known how many North Korean soldiers are fighting against Ukraine, but South Korean intelligence estimates that at least to help Russia recapture parts of western Kursk. Seoul also estimates that about 2,000 North Koreans have died in the conflict - neither Pyongyang nor Russia have provided any official numbers. In return for providing soliders, it is believed North Korea has received food, money and technical help from Moscow. The opening of the Memorial Museum of Combat Feats at the Overseas Military Operations on Sunday coincided with what Russia described as the first anniversary of its recovery of parts of Kursk. Ukraine launched a surprise incursion in Kursk in August 2024. Russia said it regained full control of the region a year later. Ukraine launched a surprise incursion in Kursk in August 2024. Russia said it Kim 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. Russia will "surely win a victory in the just sacred war", Kim said. Military jets flew overhead and white balloons were released into the air Balloons fly as soldiers stand in position next to memorial stones during the opening ceremony of the Memorial Museum of Combat Feats at the Overseas Military Operations honouring North Korean troops killed while fighting for Russia in the war against Ukraine, in Pyongyang, North Korea, April 26, 2026, in this picture released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency. Belousov said he discussed long-term military co-operation with North Korean officials, according to Russian news agencies. Aside from Belousov, Kim also met with the speaker of Russia's parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. During a meeting on the sidelines of China's military parade in Beijing last September, where both leaders came as guests, Putin thanked Kim for supporting Russia's war. During a meeting on the sidelines of China's military parade in Beijing last September, where both leaders came as guests, Putin thanked Kim for supporting Russia's war "Your soldiers fought courageously and heroically," Putin told Kim. In June 2024, Putin and Kim signed a deal pledging that Russia and North Korea will help each other in the event of "aggression" against either country. At the time, Kim hailed the treaty as the "strongest ever". Apart from soldiers, North Korea also promised to send thousands of workers to help rebuild Kursk. In a rare interview, Commander Robert Brovdi shared how his unit accounts for a third of all targets destroyed on the battlefield. The city of Dnipro was hardest hit, with officials saying four died in a strike on a residential building. Animal rescue teams reveal the risks they take to rescue dogs, cats and other animals from the war in eastern Ukraine. With Rai's passing, India has lost a visual historian who was a chronicler of its most defining and often painful moments. The teen, who posted on social media a video of himself licking the straw, could be jailed for more than two years. Akash Delison's death in Tamil Nadu state has revived concerns about alleged custody killings in India. Gawdland spoke to the BBC shortly after she was crowned the winner of RuPaul's Drag Race UK versus the World. Dionne Marie Hanna, 85, is accused of duping more than two dozen people - including her own son.