Moscow: Hundreds of injured Russian soldiers have undergone treatment at medical facilities in North Korea amid Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, a Russian news outlet reported Thursday, citing a senior Russian diplomat. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko made the remarks at the North Korean Embassy in Russia on Wednesday during a ceremony marking the 76th anniversary of a treaty on economic and cultural cooperation between the Soviet Union and North Korea.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Rudenko highlighted the rehabilitation of injured Russian soldiers at North Korea’s premier medical centers as a testament to the strong relations between the two nations. “The facts that hundreds of Russian soldiers have undergone rehabilitation at North Korea’s best medical centers … are a vivid example of the brotherly nature of the current relations between our countries,” Rudenko was quoted as saying.

Rudenko, who visited Pyongyang earlier this week, stated that he engaged in discussions with North Korean officials concerning “bilateral cooperation, international and regional problems.” He expressed gratitude to Pyongyang for its support for what Moscow refers to as its “special military operation” in Ukraine.

The alliance between Russia and North Korea has strengthened following the signing of a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty last June. This partnership has seen North Korea sending troops to Russia in support of its war efforts against Ukraine.