By Redacción
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Approximately 8,000 North Korean troops are stationed in Russia near the Ukrainian border and are likely to enter combat alongside Russian forces within days, the Biden administration announced Thursday.
This substantial deployment marks a sharp increase from the previous day’s report by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who had only indicated that some North Korean troops were approaching Ukraine’s border in the Kursk region, where Russian forces are struggling to repel Ukrainian advances.
This positioning implies that the majority of North Korean troops reportedly sent to Russia by Pyongyang are now positioned close to the active conflict zone. U.S. intelligence estimates suggest around 10,000 North Korean soldiers are currently in Russia, with South Korean and allied assessments slightly higher at around 11,000. Meanwhile, Ukrainian sources estimate the number could be as high as 12,000.
“We haven’t yet seen these troops actively engage Ukrainian forces, but we expect combat involvement in the coming days,” said Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a joint press conference in Washington alongside Secretary Austin and their South Korean counterparts.
Russia has reportedly been training North Korean soldiers in artillery, drone usage, and basic infantry tactics, including trench clearing, indicating that Moscow intends to deploy these troops on the front lines, Blinken added.
North Korea’s growing ties with Russia have prompted concerns worldwide over the potential implications for the ongoing war in Ukraine and the possibility of reciprocal military support from Russia. This was a central topic during this week’s talks between U.S. and South Korean leaders in Washington, as officials expressed concern that North Korean troop presence might escalate tensions in the Asia-Pacific region and deepen Russia’s involvement in Ukraine.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul strongly condemned North Korea’s deployment of troops to Russia, urging Pyongyang to withdraw immediately. He warned that North Korea’s actions threaten not only European stability but also security on the Korean Peninsula, and emphasized South Korea’s commitment to “take necessary measures accordingly.”
During the press conference, Blinken and Austin noted that the U.S. is coordinating closely with South Korea and European allies on potential next steps. Blinken added that additional U.S. military aid for Ukraine would be announced soon, building on the more than $59 billion the U.S. has already committed to assist Ukraine’s defense efforts.
Austin noted that Moscow has equipped the North Korean soldiers with Russian uniforms and gear, suggesting that the troops are likely to see direct combat.
“Make no mistake, if these North Korean forces engage in combat or support operations against Ukraine, they will become legitimate military targets,” Austin said.
He also suggested that despite the reinforcements, the additional 10,000 troops would not be enough to offset the losses Russia has sustained over the course of the war.
The U.S. estimates that the more than two-year-long conflict has resulted in over 500,000 Russian casualties, including both killed and wounded. U.S. and South Korean officials also urged China to pay close attention to the growing North Korea-Russia military alliance, noting that Beijing should be concerned about the potential for further regional destabilization.
The arrival of North Korean troops raises questions about possible Russian technological assistance to Pyongyang and whether it could prompt other nations to send forces to Ukraine. North Korea’s recent test-launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) has fueled these concerns. Thursday’s test, the first in nearly a year, showcased advancements in North Korea’s ability to target the U.S. mainland, with some experts suggesting Russia may have provided technological aid for the launch.
As the U.S.-South Korea ministerial meeting continued, the U.S., South Korea, and Japan released a joint statement condemning the ICBM launch. They described it as a “flagrant violation” of U.N. Security Council resolutions and criticized the military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, particularly the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia.
“We strongly urge North Korea to immediately cease its series of provocative and destabilizing actions that threaten peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and beyond,” the statement read.
In a dramatic moment at a United Nations Security Council meeting on Thursday, U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the U.N., Robert Wood, highlighted the number of North Korean troops stationed near Ukraine. Addressing Russia’s deputy ambassador, Anna Evstigneeva, Wood asked pointedly, “Does Russia still maintain that there are no DPRK troops in Russia?” Evstigneeva declined to respond, shaking her head as the meeting moved on.
In addition to troop deployments, North Korea has reportedly provided munitions to Russia. The White House recently released images that allegedly show North Korea shipping 1,000 containers of military equipment to Russia by rail. These contributions underscore the expanding cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow, with North Korea deepening its support for Russia’s war effort at a time of increased isolation and international sanctions.
The potential for North Korea’s involvement to broaden the conflict in Ukraine has prompted a swift response from Washington and its allies, who are now weighing additional measures to support Ukraine and deter further provocations.
