Official announcements from the U.S. government or State Department press releases

U.S. Reports 10,000 North Korean Troops Fighting With Russia; Blinken Vows Firm Response

Nov 13, 2024, 05:17 AM

North Korean troops have begun engaging in combat alongside Russian forces against Ukraine, the U.S. State Department reported. Deputy Head of the Press Service Vedant Patel stated that 10,000 North Korean soldiers are participating in military operations, particularly in Russia's Kursk Oblast. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking at NATO headquarters in Brussels, emphasized that their involvement demands a firm response. The Pentagon spokesperson noted that Russian forces have trained the North Korean soldiers in artillery, UAVs, and basic infantry operations, including trench clearing. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region have already sustained losses. South Korean intelligence agencies also reported that North Korean troops are engaging in combat.