North Korean Soldiers in Russia: Worrying Signals

North Korea has recently sent a significant number of troops, around 10, 000, to Russia for training, according to the Pentagon. This reveal came as NATO expressed concerns about the escalating Ukraine war. While North Korea and Russia have been strengthening their political and military ties, North Korean troops engaging in combat directly against Ukraine would represent a substantial intensification. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh announced, "We estimate that North Korea, also known as the DPRK, has dispatched roughly 10, 000 soldiers to eastern Russia for training. Some of these soldiers have already moved closer to Ukraine, hinting at potential involvement in combat or support operations in Russia's Kursk region. "Previously, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby had estimated the number of North Korean troops in Russia to be over 3, 000. He warned these troops could become "legitimate military targets" if they were to participate in the conflict against Ukraine. NATO chief Mark Rutte described the deployment of North Korean troops as a dangerous expansion of the conflict, indicating that Russian President Vladimir Putin was becoming increasingly desperate. Experts suggest that North Korea is likely seeking advanced military technology and possibly security assurances from Moscow in exchange for its troop deployment. Both North Korea and Russia are under United Nations sanctions; North Korea for its nuclear program and Russia for its actions in Ukraine.