Nato announced for the first time that North Korean troops are in Russia and operating along the border with Ukraine near the Kursk region, where Ukrainian troops hold a foothold.
After weeks of speculation and a Monday meeting with South Korean intelligence officials and defence officials, the alliance’s secretary general Mark Rutte confirmed that he could confirm this deployment.
The newly appointed Nato chief said that the deployment was a “significant expansion” and “dangerous escalation” of Russia’s conflict in Ukraine.
Last week, President Vladimir Putin refused deny that North Korean soldiers had arrived in Russia. This was after reports that Pyongyang would be sending thousands of troops to help its ally.
The South Korean spy agency reported earlier this month that 1,500 North Korean soldiers had arrived in Russia. This prompted Seoul to issue a stern diplomatic warning to Moscow.
Rutte’s intervention on Monday was the first time Nato officially acknowledged that Pyongyang’s forces were operating within Russia. He said that North Korea had already sent millions rounds of ammunition and missiles to Moscow, for use in Ukraine.
Rutte stated that in return, Putin had agreed to send military technologies and other support for North Korea to help them evade international sanctions. He said that the partnership “undermines global peace and stability”.
His warning that North Korean forces are operating in Kursk is likely to cause concern in Western capitals. Nearly two months after Ukrainian forces first entered the area in a shock operation, Moscow and Kyiv have continued to clash.
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