USA: About 8,000 North Korean Soldiers Deployed at the Russia-Ukraine Border

Approximately 8,000 North Korean soldiers are currently stationed in Russia near the shared border with Ukraine, ready to assist the Kremlin in its fight against Ukrainian forces in the coming days, the U.S. government announced on Thursday. This new figure represents a significant increase compared to the estimate from the previous day. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had stated on Wednesday that some North Korean troops were moving towards the Ukrainian border in Kursk. In the Kursk region of Russia, Moscow's forces have been struggling to repel Ukrainian attacks. The figure of 8,000 North Korean troops near the Ukrainian border also indicates that most of the forces that the U.S. and its allies say have been sent by North Korea to Russia are now stationed at the Russia-Ukraine border. The U.S. estimates that a total of about 10,000 North Korean soldiers are present in Russia. Seoul and its allies have increased this number to 11,000, while Ukraine estimates it to be as high as 12,000. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, at a press conference in Washington with Austin and their South Korean counterparts, stated that among the 8,000 in Kursk, 'we have not yet seen direct engagement of these forces with Ukrainian troops.' However, he noted that direct clashes are likely to occur in the coming days. Blinken added that Russia is training North Korean soldiers in artillery, drone operations, and infantry tactics, including trench clearing, which he said indicates Moscow fully intends to use these forces at the 'frontline.' North Korea's efforts to strengthen its ties with Russia have raised global concerns, as this could lead to an escalation of the war in Ukraine. There are also global worries regarding what type of military assistance North Korea, a nuclear-armed state, might receive from Russia in return. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned what he called the 'zero reaction' of allies and supporters of Kyiv on Thursday, stating that such a weak response encourages the Kremlin to bolster these forces. The U.S. and South Korea have called for the withdrawal of North Korean troops from Russia. The U.S. has sanctioned 400 individuals and entities for supporting Russia's aggression against Ukraine. The Pentagon stated that 'a few' North Korean military personnel are stationed in the Kursk region of Russia, while the U.S. Department of Defense reported that North Korea has sent 10,000 soldiers to Russia.