The U.S. warned that approximately 8,000 North Korean troops stationed in Russia are set to join frontline combat operations against Ukraine, marking an escalation in Moscow's reliance on foreign military support amid high casualty rates in the prolonged conflict. Speaking alongside Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and their South Korean counterparts, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday that these troops are "trained in artillery, UAVs, and trench-clearing operations," highlighting that North Korea's soldiers will be legitimate military targets if they engage in combat in Ukraine.
The announcement follows extensive conversations with South Korean and Chinese officials to coordinate a response. Blinken noted that Russia has heavily armed and equipped the North Korean forces, underscoring Moscow's intensified cooperation with Pyongyang. "Should these forces enter active combat against Ukraine, they will surely return in body bags," said Robert Wood, the U.S. envoy to the U.N.
According to U.S. intelligence, 80% of the 10,000 North Korean troops reported in Russia are stationed in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces launched a strategic incursion in August. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that these forces would likely be sacrificed to reduce Russian troop casualties, while Secretary Austin expressed confidence that Ukraine could maintain its position in the region despite North Korean involvement.
"This new move signifies a strategic alliance that should worry China as much as it worries us," Blinken added. China's silence on the issue has raised questions among Western and regional allies, given its historical influence over North Korea. Blinken urged Beijing to use its leverage with Pyongyang to prevent escalation, calling the alliance between North Korea and Russia "profoundly destabilizing for the region."
The North Korean troop deployment marks the first instance in over a century that Russia has allowed foreign troops on its soil, signaling Moscow's reliance on external forces to offset its significant losses. Blinken noted that Russian casualties in Ukraine have surged to unprecedented levels, with 1,200 daily in some regions, intensifying Russia's need for military assistance.
The military alliance between Russia and North Korea has been growing steadily this year, with North Korean soldiers integrated into Russian units for combat support, according to U.S. defense officials. Lavrov praised the cooperation, stating that the two nations are in "very close contact" militarily, which he described as crucial for both nations' security interests.
Adding to tensions, North Korea launched its longest-ever intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Thursday, raising concerns that its partnership with Russia could encourage more missile testing. "This alliance may embolden North Korea to continue provocative actions," Austin said, cautioning that the U.S. would monitor developments closely.
Washington's focus has now turned to China, hoping to leverage Beijing's historic ties with North Korea to influence its actions. Secretary Blinken held talks earlier in the week with Chinese diplomats, emphasizing that China has both an interest and responsibility in maintaining regional stability. In response, Chinese officials reiterated their stance of neutrality, focusing instead on promoting peace negotiations for the Ukraine crisis.
Meanwhile, U.S. officials are reportedly weighing additional military aid to Ukraine as the Kremlin's reliance on foreign forces grows. With a new wave of support expected in the coming days, Blinken affirmed, "Our commitment to Ukraine's defense is unwavering, and we are prepared to respond decisively to Russia's latest strategies."
