Pentagon confirms movement of North Korean troops to Russia, NATO calls it ‘significant escalation’

The Pentagon has confirmed that North Korea is deploying military units to Russia’s Kursk region, marking a significant shift in Moscow’s war strategy against Ukraine, according to Major General Patrick Ryder.

Speaking at a press briefing, Ryder stated that “several thousand” North Korean soldiers are on their way, with a small contingent already on Russian soil. Initial signs suggest that Russia intends to use these forces as frontline infantry or in support roles for combat operations against Ukraine, Ryder confirmed to Reuters.

In a statement prior to Ryder’s briefing, CNN cited Western intelligence reports suggesting that some North Korean troops had entered Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories. However, Ryder clarified that he could not independently verify these claims.

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden expressed concern over reports of North Korean troops on Russian soil, cautioning that if they crossed into Ukraine, Kyiv should respond accordingly. Meanwhile, on October 28, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed the North Korean deployment to the Kursk region, describing it as a “significant escalation” in Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Rutte pointed to this move as a sign of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s growing frustration, noting that “over 600,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded” in the ongoing conflict.