The U.S. National Security Council spokesperson, John Kirby, stated on October 23 that North Korean troops deployed to fight for Russia against Ukraine are considered fair game. The U.S. confirmed evidence of Pyongyang’s soldiers being sent to Russia, following reports from Ukraine and South Korea. Kirby mentioned that the Ukrainian military would defend themselves against North Korean soldiers the same way they defend against Russian soldiers. U.S. intelligence assessments revealed that North Korea had moved at least 3,000 soldiers into eastern Russia, where they are currently undergoing training at multiple military sites. While it is uncertain if these soldiers will enter combat alongside Russian forces, the situation is highly concerning, and the U.S. is consulting with allies and partners in the region on how to respond.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, stated that the first North Korean units were expected to arrive in Kursk Oblast on October 23. Ukraine initiated a cross-border incursion in August and still holds significant territory in the region. Budanov mentioned that the first group would consist of 2,600 soldiers, with two North Korean brigades of up to 6,000 personnel each currently undergoing training in Russia. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the presence of North Korean officers in the occupied territories of Ukraine. Despite denials from North Korea and evasive responses from the Kremlin, reports indicate the presence of North Korean troops in Russia and the possibility of their involvement in the conflict.
A military intelligence source revealed on October 21 that Russian authorities detained 18 North Korean soldiers who abandoned their positions in Kursk Oblast. Video footage showing North Korean troops at a Russian military training camp has circulated widely. South Korean media reported on October 22 that Pyongyang has dispatched pilots who can fly Russian warplanes to join the war in Ukraine. South Korea is considering sending personnel to Ukraine to monitor North Korean troops, despite legal hurdles that may limit the direct supply of weapons to Ukraine. Seoul has previously provided humanitarian and non-lethal military aid to Kyiv but may reconsider its stance given the escalating role of North Korea in Russia’s invasion.
The situation has raised concerns about the potential escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, with the involvement of North Korean troops adding a new dimension to the already volatile situation. The presence of North Korean soldiers in eastern Russia undergoing training for possible combat alongside Russian forces has heightened tensions in the region. The U.S. and its allies are closely monitoring the situation and evaluating their response to this development. The possibility of direct conflict between North Korean troops and Ukrainian forces underscores the complexity of the crisis and the challenges of managing multiple actors in the conflict. The deployment of North Korean troops has added a new layer of uncertainty to the conflict and raised questions about the extent of Russia’s support from external actors in its military operations in Ukraine. The international community is closely watching the situation and assessing the implications of these developments for regional security and stability.
