In a major shift, around 12,000 North Korean soldiers have reportedly joined Russian forces near Ukraine’s border, raising fears of further escalation and global implications.
Ukraine’s military intelligence confirmed that the troops, trained in Russia’s far east, have been stationed in the Kursk region. Despite initial Kremlin denials, President Putin did not refute the deployment when questioned at the BRICS summit, and footage from near Russia’s border with China verified the soldiers’ presence.
Ukraine has warned that growing military ties between Russia and North Korea could lead to Pyongyang’s direct involvement in the war. President Zelensky revealed that Russia is training North Korean military units, each potentially comprising 6,000 troops. Allies like Lithuania have called this a “major escalation,” broadening the conflict’s impact.
North Korea has also been accused of supplying munitions to Russia in exchange for essential goods, adding further complexity to the conflict and heightening international concerns.
