The Pentagon has stated that approximately 10,000 North Korean troops have arrived in Russia for training and potential deployment.
According to Sabrina Singh, a Pentagon spokesperson, North Korea has sent around 10,000 troops to Russia for training and possible deployment against Ukrainian forces. Singh, citing a US Defense Department assessment, informed journalists that “a portion of those soldiers have already moved closer to Ukraine.” The US is concerned that these troops could be used “in combat or to support combat operations against Ukrainian forces” in Russia’s Kursk Region, the official added.
Following a Ukrainian incursion into internationally recognized Russian territory in August, John Kirby, the White House National Security Communications Adviser, stated last week that North Korean soldiers would be considered “legitimate military targets” if they “decide to join the fight against Ukraine.” When asked if the Pentagon would consider the troops “fair game,” should they remain on Russian soil, Singh reiterated that Kirby’s statement “still stands.”
The Pentagon interprets this development as a sign of “increasing desperation” on the part of Russian President Vladimir Putin and an indication that he “may be in more trouble than people realize.”
The Russian leader has neither confirmed nor denied claims from Ukraine and its supporters regarding the arrival of North Korean troops. When questioned last week about these allegations, he noted that Moscow and Pyongyang have a bilateral treaty that allows for military cooperation.
Putin emphasized in an interview that whether this cooperation extends beyond joint exercises and training is solely a matter between Russia and North Korea. “This is our business, just like we are always being told that it is Ukraine’s business how it ensures its national security, with NATO or without it,” he stated.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte asserted on Monday that North Korean troops have already been deployed in Kursk Region. “The deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea is a threat to both the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic security,” Rutte remarked following a meeting with South Korean intelligence and military officials in Brussels. He added that NATO remains dedicated to supporting Ukraine against Russia.
Ukrainian forces are currently facing setbacks on multiple sections of the front line, including in Kursk Region. Putin indicated last week that Russian troops have gained valuable experience in modern warfare, particularly in the widespread deployment of drones, where innovations are sometimes made directly on the battlefield.
Moscow views the Ukraine conflict as a US-led proxy war against Russia, with Kiev serving as a provider of ‘cannon fodder’.