Pentagon addresses North Korea's troop deployment to Ukraine
Photo: The US Department of Defense has not confirmed the sending of DPRK troops to Ukraine (Getty Images)
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated that he could not confirm reports of North Korea sending troops to Russia ahead of a potential deployment to participate in the war in Ukraine, according to Reuters.
According to Austin, if this troop deployment is true, it would raise concerns.
South Korea's intelligence agency reported on Friday, October 18, that North Korea sent 1,500 special forces troops to Russia's Far East for training and acclimatization at local military bases. They are likely to be deployed for combat operations against Ukraine.
North Korean troops in Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy first mentioned the possibility of North Korea sending a military contingent to the war in Ukraine on October 17. He indicated that Pyongyang plans to send 10,000 soldiers from various military branches.
However, at this stage, NATO Secretary Mark Rutte said there is no evidence of this information.
On October 18, the Strategic Communications and Information Security Center SPRAVDI released a video purportedly showing North Korean soldiers training on Russian territory.
The French Foreign Ministry noted that the involvement of North Korean soldiers could escalate the conflict into Asia.
The White House characterized Pyongyang's decision as an act of desperation in response to significant Russian losses on the frontlines.
The British publication The Telegraph reported that North Korea deployed its Special Forces to Russia.
Meanwhile, both Moscow and Pyongyang deny sending North Korean troops to assist Russia in the war against Ukraine.
