North Korean Troops Nor Positioned Along Russian Border, Ukraine and U.S. Monitor Situation

On Thursday, Ukrainian forces claimed that North Korean troops deployed by Russia are now stationed at the border.

The Washington Times and NHK World reported that North Korean soldiers were spotted in Kursk, an area where Ukrainian forces are currently active. This information comes from statements made by Ukraine’s military and intelligence agencies. If confirmed, this would be the first instance of North Korean soldiers trained in Russia being deployed to the border region.

Earlier, Kyodo News, citing Ukrainian military sources, reported that approximately 2,000 North Korean soldiers had completed their training and were moving toward western Russia, near the Ukrainian border.

Citing Ukrainian military sources, Kyodo News earlier reported that around 2,000 North Korean soldiers completed their training and moved toward western Russia near the Ukrainian border. Ukrainian forces had previously noted North Korean troops training at five bases in eastern Russia under the supervision of Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, confirmed in a press interview that North Korean troops would be deployed to the Kursk. He added that North Korea had agreed to send additional support, including three generals and 500 officers, to assist Russia.

Kursk is a border area where Ukrainian forces launched a counteroffensive against southwestern Russian territory in August. Russia has repeatedly conducted operations to reclaim the area, even redeploying troops from Donetsk to reinforce the border.

Ukraine and Western officials estimate Russia has about 50,000 troops stationed to defend the Kursk region.

During a press conference summarizing the BRICS summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Russian forces had surrounded approximately 2,000 Ukrainian troops in Kursk and had “begun to eliminate them.”

Responding to Ukrainian intelligence reports, Pentagon Deputy Spokesperson Sabrina Singh confirmed the U.S. is monitoring North Korea’s military presence in Russia. During a press briefing, she stated that there is “evidence that DPRK troops have gone into Russia” and emphasized the need to observe their actions closely.