Russia Dismisses ‘Fake News’ of North Korean Troops in Ukraine, U.S. Watches Closely

The United States expressed concern over reports of North Korean troops being deployed to the Ukraine war, while Russia dismissed these claims as fake news.

According to Reuters on Thursday, Sean Savett, a spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council (NSC), stated that the U.S. is worried about reports of North Korean involvement in the Ukraine war. He said, “The involvement of North Korean troops in Ukraine, if true, would mark a significant increase in the North Korea-Russia defense relationship.”

“Such a move would also indicate a new level of desperation for Russia as it continues to suffer significant casualties on the battlefield in its brutal war against Ukraine,” he added.

The reports originated from Ukrainian media, which claimed that North Korea had organized a military unit consisting of around 3,000 troops, reportedly operating under the Syrian army. These troops are said to be equipped with small arms and ammunition as part of Russia’s 11th Airborne Assault Brigade, with speculation that they could soon be deployed to the front lines to counter Ukrainian forces in western Russia.

In response, Russia has denied the allegations. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the reports, calling them fake news when asked about the claims of North Korean troop involvement.