The Pentagon announced that approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to Russia, with some moving closer to the Ukrainian border. This deployment, up from the previous estimate of 3,000 troops, suggests that North Korea could potentially support Russian combat operations against Ukrainian forces, particularly in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, near the Ukrainian border. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh expressed concerns about the implications of this involvement, indicating the possibility of North Korean soldiers engaging in combat.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol condemned the collaboration, calling it a threat to global security and labeling it “illegal military cooperation.” Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the risks to both the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions. Moscow, initially dismissing reports as “fake news,” has not explicitly denied the presence of North Korean troops, with President Vladimir Putin defending Russia’s handling of its partnership with Pyongyang as a domestic matter.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken are scheduled to meet with South Korean officials in Washington, DC, to address the situation. Sabrina Singh emphasized that North Korean troops advancing toward the front lines could be treated as co-belligerents, indicating no limitations on the use of US-supplied weapons against them if they engage Ukrainian forces.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized allies for a lack of firm action in response, advocating for lifted restrictions on Ukrainian long-range strikes inside Russia. While the US has not agreed to this, the call highlights Ukraine’s urgent concerns over the expanded conflict.
