Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Agency reported on Thursday that some North Korean soldiers have entered the Kursk region in western Russia. The region shares a border with Ukraine, and tensions have been high between Russian and Ukrainian forces in the area in recent weeks.
According to the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine’s official Telegram channel, there are approximately 12,000 North Korean soldiers deployed in Russia, including 500 military officers, with three of them being generals. They are undergoing training at five camps in Russia’s Far East region.
Reports indicate that on Wednesday, some North Korean soldiers were observed in the Kursk region in western Russia. Ukrainian forces have maintained defensive positions in the area since the invasion began on August 6.
Ukrainian intelligence points out that Moscow has assigned Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov to oversee the “training and adaptation” of the North Korean troops. The plan is to spend “several weeks” helping the North Korean forces adapt to the battlefield before they are expected to join the fighting in Ukraine.
The number of North Korean soldiers disclosed by Ukraine on Thursday exceeds previous statements made by U.S. officials.
On Wednesday, John Kirby, the spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council, informed reporters that at least 3,000 North Korean soldiers had arrived in eastern Russia in October. These forces entered Russia between early and mid-October and are undergoing basic combat training at three camps.
Kirby stated, “We do not yet know if these soldiers will fight alongside Russian forces, but it is certainly a highly concerning possibility.”
Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also mentioned that North Korea had dispatched tactical personnel and officers into the Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia.
During the BRICS summit on Thursday, Russian President Putin neither confirmed nor denied the presence of North Korean soldiers in Russia for training purposes. When questioned about reports of North Korean troops joining the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Putin stated that his country is “in contact” with Pyongyang.
Putin told reporters, “It is not Russia’s actions that have escalated the conflict in Ukraine,” and he blamed the West for aiding Kyiv against Moscow.
He also mentioned that Russia and North Korea signed a “comprehensive strategic partnership” in June, pledging to “assist each other in the event of aggression against either party.”
“We believe that the North Korean leadership will take our agreement seriously,” Putin said. “But what we do and how we do it is our prerogative.”
Putin added, “We will see how the situation unfolds.”
North Korea is also facing allegations of providing thousands of tons of ammunition to Russia. Despite substantial evidence, both North Korea and Russia have denied these accusations.
Meanwhile, it is believed that North Korea has received food and other essential supplies in return.