Russian President Vladimir Putin has thanked North Korea for sending troops to help push Ukrainian forces out of Russia's Kursk region.



In a statement released on Monday, Putin said the joint operation was conducted in accordance with the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that Moscow and Pyongyang signed last June.



He also said "Korean friends acted out of a sense of solidarity, justice and genuine comradeship." He added that, "We highly appreciate this and are sincerely grateful" to North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, the entire leadership, and the people of North Korea.



He went on to say "Russian people will never forget" what the Korean special forces soldiers have accomplished.



Putin concluded that he is confident that relationships that were forged on the battleground between the two countries will continue to develop in all areas.