This was confirmed on Monday by Yuri Ušakov, adviser to the Russian president on international issues. According to the Ria Novosti agency, he said that “military contingents of some countries” will participate in the traditional Victory Day parade on May 9, 2025.
“I can’t tell you the exact number yet, but it’s already clear that several countries have agreed to it,” said Ušakov. When asked whether it would also involve units of the DPRK army, the adviser to the head of the Kremlin replied: “I think so.”
In June of this year, Russia signed a “comprehensive strategic partnership” agreement with the DPRK, which also includes a mutual defense pact. This allows immediate military aid to be sent to the contracting country in the event of armed aggression.
North Korean soldiers are already participating in the fighting in the Kursk region to help Russian forces push out Ukrainian troops who entered the region in August and took control of several hundred square kilometers.
The number of North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region is estimated at 11 thousand. According to Monday’s statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, three thousand of them have already fallen or been injured.
At the same time, Zelensky expressed concern that Pyongyang could send more soldiers and equipment to Russia. He assured that Ukraine “will have a concrete answer” to that.
Russia traditionally celebrates its victory over Nazi Germany on May 9, and representatives of the countries of the former Soviet Union are traditionally invited to participate in the parade. “Of course, President (Vladimir) Putin will be happy to see Mr. Fico and all others who want to share with us memories of Victory Day and its significance for the whole world,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Who will stop me? Fico announced that he wants to visit Moscow next year
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