NATO Confirms North Korean Troops Deployed to Russia’s Kursk Region to Aid in Ukraine War

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte confirmed on Monday that North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia‘s Kursk region to assist in the ongoing war against Ukraine. This development marks a significant escalation in North Korea‘s involvement in the conflict and represents a “dangerous expansion” of Russia’s war efforts, according to Rutte.

The deployment of North Korean soldiers to the Kursk region, which has been partly controlled by Ukrainian troops since August, is seen as a sign of Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s “growing desperation” in sustaining his military campaign. Rutte emphasized that the increasing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea poses a threat to both Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic security.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously indicated that intelligence suggested around 10,000 North Korean troops were being prepared to join Russian forces. While the exact number of deployed troops varies in reports, with some sources suggesting around 3,000 troops were sent for training, the presence of North Korean military units in the Kursk region is now confirmed.

The Kremlin and North Korean officials have denied these reports, calling them “fake news” and “groundless rumors.” However, NATO’s confirmation follows a briefing by a high-level South Korean delegation at NATO headquarters in Brussels, which included top intelligence, military, and diplomatic officials.

NATO is actively consulting with its member states, Ukraine, and Indo-Pacific partners to address the implications of this new development. The addition of North Korean troops is expected to increase pressure on Ukraine’s military and heighten geopolitical tensions in the region, including the Korean Peninsula and broader Indo-Pacific area.