U.S. Warns 8,000 North Korean Troops in Russian Uniforms Near Ukraine Border May Soon Enter Combat

Oct 31, 2024, 10:05 AM

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed that North Korea has sent approximately 10,000 troops to Russia, with around 8,000 of them deployed to Russia's Kursk region near the Ukrainian border. These troops have been outfitted with Russian uniforms and equipment. U.S. officials expressed concerns that the North Korean soldiers may soon engage in combat against Ukrainian forces, possibly in the coming days, and stated that if they do, they would become legitimate targets. Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that the troops are training in artillery, drones, and infantry operations, including trench clearing, indicating preparation for frontline operations. Ukrainian intelligence sources reported that about 3,000 North Korean soldiers, including both special forces and regular troops, have been placed in barracks approximately 50 kilometers from the Ukrainian border after being secretly transported from Russia's Far East. Approximately 500 North Korean officers are among the troops. Additionally, three North Korean generals—Kim Yong Bok, Ri Chang Ho, and Sin Kum Cheol—have been identified as accompanying the soldiers. U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Robert Wood announced at a U.N. Security Council meeting the presence of 8,000 North Korean soldiers in Russia's Kursk region.