Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un welcomed troops back to Pyongyang from Russia's western Kursk region after they completed a mine-clearance mission during the Ukraine war, as reported by state-run media on Saturday. The ceremony marked the return of approximately 1,000 engineer troops sent in August to support Russian forces by clearing mines laid during the conflict with Ukrainian troops.

According to Anadolu Agency, the welcoming ceremony was a solemn occasion as nine personnel were honored posthumously for their sacrifices during the deployment. The deployment to Russia was not the first instance of North Korean support for Russia's military efforts; it followed the earlier dispatch of an estimated 15,000 North Korean combat troops. South Korea's spy agency reported that Pyongyang lost 2,000 troops in the war.

In his address to the returning soldiers, Kim Jong Un expressed his relief at the safe return of the majority of the troops, while acknowledging the loss of nine soldiers as 'heart rending.' He commended the regiment for their 'heroism and professionalism,' highlighting the dangerous environment in which they operated, where every step posed a potential threat.

Kim credited the successful transformation of large mine-contaminated areas into safe zones to the collective discipline and unity of the troops. He emphasized that the achievement was due to the ideological commitment, camaraderie, and the soldiers' willingness to prioritize their comrades' safety under life-threatening conditions.