Russia’s defense chief arrived in North Korea on Friday for talks with the country’s top military and political brass, as DPRK troops fight for Moscow in its conflict with Ukraine.

Andrei Belousov was welcomed by a DPRK honorary guard and his counterpart No Kwang Chol at Sunan International Airport upon his arrival, according to the Russian defense ministry.

Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed Belousov as his defense minister in May. He replaced Sergei Shoigu, who assumed the position of Security Council secretary.

The ministry noted in a brief announcement that Belousov is set to “hold meetings with the military