North Korea officially confirmed for the first time that it has sent troops to support Russia in the war with Ukraine. The decision was reportedly made based on a defense treaty with Moscow, reports the South Korean Yonhap agency.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is thanking North Korean troops for fighting Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk region.

North Korea confirmed for the first time on Monday that it had sent troops to fight for Russia in the war in Ukraine under orders from leader Kim Jong Un.