Ukraine's military intelligence has reported the presence of North Korean troops in Russia's Kursk region, a territory bordering Ukraine that has seen active military operations. The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine announced that a group of North Korean soldiers had been spotted in Kursk on Wednesday, marking the first reported deployment of North Korean forces in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, these troops were trained at military sites in Russia's Far East and are part of a larger contingent of approximately 12,000 North Korean soldiers that have been deployed to Russia. The soldiers are reportedly undergoing additional training at five military grounds before being integrated into Russia's war efforts. This development comes as Ukraine continues to hold a foothold in the region since launching an incursion in August.
The appearance of North Korean troops in the conflict has raised alarms among Ukraine and its allies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Kyiv has intelligence suggesting that Russia is training two military units from North Korea, each consisting of approximately 6,000 soldiers. Zelensky added that North Korean officers and technical staff have already been spotted in Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine, further fueling concerns about the deepening cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang.
On Thursday, the Kremlin did not deny these reports. During the BRICS summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that his country was "in contact" with North Korea but remained vague about the exact nature of their involvement. "We have never doubted that the North Korean leadership takes our agreements seriously," Putin said. "But what and how we will do is our business," he added, hinting at further undisclosed cooperation between the two countries.
The reported deployment of North Korean troops has not been officially confirmed by Russia, and Pyongyang has dismissed claims of its military involvement in Ukraine as rumors. Nonetheless, the intelligence from Ukraine, coupled with reports from U.S. officials, points to a significant military presence. U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters earlier in the week that at least 3,000 North Korean soldiers had arrived in Russia this month, with further estimates suggesting a total of 12,000 troops could be involved.
The alliance between North Korea and Russia, both of which are pariahs in the eyes of the West, has strengthened over the course of the Ukraine war. In June, the two countries signed a landmark defense pact, pledging mutual military assistance in the event of aggression against either nation. The partnership has not only included the provision of troops but also arms shipments. North Korea has been accused of supplying Russia with thousands of tons of munitions, which have been critical in replenishing Moscow's dwindling stockpiles in the face of Ukraine's resistance.
These developments have prompted concern among Western allies, with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis calling the deployment of North Korean soldiers a "major escalation in the war" during an interview with CNN. "It's no longer regional, it's no longer just European - it is a global conflict, and it affects everybody," Landsbergis said, underscoring the potential global ramifications of this new military dynamic.
The prospect of North Korean troops entering the combat zone has prompted Ukraine and its allies to heighten their scrutiny of the evolving partnership between Russia and North Korea. The deployment of these troops to Russia's western regions marks a new chapter in the conflict, further complicating efforts to de-escalate the war and broker a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's military intelligence has noted that North Korean soldiers are being equipped with winter gear, ammunition, and other necessary supplies. According to Ukraine, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov has been tasked with overseeing the training and adaptation of the North Korean forces. The presence of these troops is seen as a significant boost to Russia's military capabilities as it struggles with manpower and resource shortages in its protracted war with Ukraine.
