In a significant development, North Korea has dispatched thousands of soldiers to Russia to support President Vladimir Putin’s military efforts in Ukraine. This move marks a deepening of the military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow, raising concerns among Western allies.

According to reports, as many as 12,000 North Korean troops are set to arrive in Russia’s frontline regions, including the southwestern border area of Kursk. The deployment is expected to bolster Russian forces, which have been engaged in a prolonged conflict with Ukraine since February 2022.

South Korean lawmakers have confirmed that North Korea has already sent 3,000 soldiers to Russia, with plans to send a total of 10,000 troops by December. This deployment follows a mutual defense agreement signed between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin during a summit in Pyongyang in June.

The United States has also confirmed the presence of North Korean troops in Russia, signaling a potential escalation in the conflict. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated, “There is evidence that there are DPRK troops in Russia. What exactly they are doing remains to be seen.”

The involvement of North Korean troops in the Ukraine war has been met with condemnation from various international leaders. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on global allies to respond to this new development, emphasizing the need to stop Russia and its accomplices.