The White House announced on Wednesday that over 3,000 North Korean soldiers have arrived in eastern Russia in October, raising concerns that they may soon participate in combat alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. According to National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, the soldiers traveled by ship from the Wonsan area in North Korea to Vladivostok. While it is not yet confirmed if they will enter the battlefield, their movement to western Russia for possible deployment in Ukraine is a troubling prospect.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin confirmed North Korean troops’ presence in Russia, noting that while their exact role remains unclear, this development signals a potentially significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The U.S. is monitoring the situation closely, keeping Ukraine and its allies informed, and sees North Korea’s involvement as a sign of Russia’s desperation.
North Korea and Russia have been strengthening their ties in recent months, leading to concerns in Kyiv and Washington. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned NATO leaders that North Korea could send up to 10,000 soldiers and technical personnel to assist Russia.
This growing military partnership is seen as a violation of UN Security Council Resolutions, and the U.S. has made it clear that if North Korean troops engage in combat, they will be considered legitimate targets. South Korean intelligence has also reported that North Korea has already sent 1,500 soldiers, including special forces, to Russia for training.
