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Western Officials Confirm North Korean Troops Deployed in Russia
In a significant development, NATO and US officials confirmed on Wednesday, October 23, that North Korean troops have been deployed in Russia.
This revelation has raised concerns about the escalation of the war in Ukraine, as it marks the involvement of a third country in the ongoing conflict. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated, “We are seeing evidence that there are North Korean troops that have gone to Russia,” but added that the exact nature of their involvement remains unclear.
NATO Raises Alarm Over Possible Escalation
A NATO spokesperson in Brussels also confirmed the presence of North Korean troops in Russia. This raises the possibility that North Korea could be providing direct military support to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. “If these troops are destined to fight in Ukraine, it would mark a significant escalation in North Korea’s support for Russia’s illegal war,” the spokesperson said.
South Korean and Ukrainian Intelligence Confirm Deployment
The deployment of North Korean troops had been previously announced by South Korean and Ukrainian intelligence agencies. According to South Korean intelligence, 10,000 North Korean soldiers are expected to be deployed in Russia by December. Of these, 3,000 troops have already arrived and are being trained at military bases in Russia’s Far East, with a focus on drone operations and other military equipment.
