Putin's Remark: North Korean Troops in Russia – What's the Story?

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently hinted at the presence of North Korean troops in Russia. He was reacting to satellite images shared by South Korea's intelligence service, showing soldiers in Russian territory. Putin acknowledged the images, saying, "If there are images, they reflect something. " This came after the two countries signed a new security treaty with a mutual defense clause. The U. S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed evidence of North Korean troops in Russia. The U. S. believes these troops, estimated to be around 3, 000, are being trained for possible deployment in Ukraine. South Korea's intelligence agency has even used AI facial recognition to confirm North Korean soldiers in Ukraine. North Korea has dismissed these allegations as "groundless rumors. " If North Korean troops were to fight in Ukraine, it would be a first for the country. North Korea has been one of Russia's few allies since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, providing essential weapons. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said his government won't ignore the situation if true. It might even reconsider its policy against supplying lethal weapons to conflict zones.