Pentagon confirms deployment of North Korean soldiers in Kursk region, but with nuance
Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon's press secretary (photo: facebook.com/Patrick S Ryder)
At least 10,000 North Korean troops have been spotted in the Kursk region, although there is no confirmation that they have been involved in combat operations, states Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon's press secretary.
According to him, due to a reassessment of new data by the Pentagon, the overall estimate of North Korean troop presence in Russia may be slightly higher.
"We think that the total number of DPRK forces in Russia total could be closer to around 11,000 to 12,000, with about 10,000, at least 10,000 right now in the Kursk region," Ryder said.
The department is aware of media reports suggesting that North Korean military personnel are allegedly prepared to engage in combat operations, but the Pentagon has yet to confirm this.
According to Ryder, North Korean forces are receiving Russian uniforms and Russian equipment and are being directed to the Kursk region, where they will provide certain capabilities.
"All indications are that they will provide some type of combat or combat support capability," the Pentagon spokesperson stated.
However, he did not clarify whether the North Korean forces are being deployed in Russia as part of Russian units or as independent formations.
Meanwhile, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller confirmed the information regarding the relocation of at least 10,000 North Korean soldiers to the Kursk region, stating that they may engage in combat in the coming days.
In response to a question from Voice of America about whether there is confirmation of these soldiers entering combat, Miller stated that he could not confirm reports from the press. However, he emphasized that if they fought on behalf of Russia, they would become legitimate military targets for Ukrainian forces.
"So again, should they be employed in combat, they will become legitimate military targets and we would fully expect that the Ukrainians would do what they need to do to defend themselves and their personnel," the State Department spokesperson said.
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stated that the Armed Forces of Ukraine have already had skirmishes with North Korean soldiers who were deployed to Russia, although these encounters were described as small-scale.
According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, there are already 11,000 North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region.
These troops may engage in combat against the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the coming days.
