NATO Confirms Presence of North Korean Soldiers in Russia

NATO confirms presence of North Korean soldiers in Russia Vladislav Kravtsov

NATO has evidence of the presence of DPRK troops in Russia/Collage 24 Channel (photo Getty Images and AP)More interesting audio newsListenListen to this news00:0001:08xAudio synthesized using AI.Listen to this news00:0001:08xAudio synthesized using AI.

Ukrainian partners have more and more evidence of the presence of DPRK troops in Russia. Now this information has also been confirmed by NATO.

Alliance member countries have evidence that Pyongyang has sent its troops to Russia. NATO press secretary Farah Dakhlallah reported this in response to a DW request.

What NATO said about the DPRK troops in Russia

Farah Dakhlallah noted that the Alliance members have confirmed evidence of the deployment of North Korean troops in Russia.

If these troops have to fight in Ukraine, this will mean a significant increase in North Korea's support for Russia's illegal war and another sign of Russia's significant losses on the front lines, the press secretary said.

The White House also confirmed information about North Korean soldiers in Russia. During a briefing, John Kirby, the White House National Security Council's Coordinator for Strategic Communications, noted that by mid-October, the DPRK had sent “at least 3,000 troops to eastern Russia.”

“We estimate that these troops departed by ship from the port of Wonsan in North Korea to Vladivostok, Russia. From there, the North Korean troops arrived at a number of military training centers in eastern Russia, where they are currently undergoing training,” Kirby noted.

In addition, he clarified that it is not yet clear whether these North Korean troops will directly participate in military operations against Ukraine together with Russian troops.

Of course, such a possibility causes considerable concern. After completing their training, these troops may be sent to western Russia, where they will fight against Ukrainian troops, the official noted.

Kirby also noted that the United States has already communicated its vision of the situation to Ukraine. The American side is also in close contact with its allies regarding “the consequences of such a drastic step and our possible response.”

Finally, the White House representative reported that the possible entry of North Korean troops “would be a sign of weakness, not strength, for the Kremlin.”