NATO Secretary General Rutte confirms North Korean troops' presence in Russia's Kursk region

This announcement was made during a briefing, as reported by European Pravda.

"Today, I can confirm that North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia, specifically stationed in the Kursk region. This marks a major escalation in DPRK’s ongoing role in Russia’s illegal war. It’s a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions and a dangerous expansion of Russia’s conflict," Rutte stated.

He added that earlier today, South Korea informed NATO, along with Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, that it had verified the presence of North Korean forces in Russia.

"NATO is calling on both Russia and DPRK to immediately cease these actions. The growing military partnership between Russia and North Korea is a threat to security in both the Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions," emphasized the Secretary General.

Rutte also reminded that Pyongyang has supplied Moscow with missiles and other military equipment. In exchange, Russia has been providing North Korea with military technology and support to circumvent international sanctions.

“But North Korean troops in Kursk are a signal of Putin’s mounting desperation. With over 600,000 Russian casualties in his war, he now relies on outside assistance to sustain his offensive against Ukraine… NATO allies will continue to support a free and independent Ukraine, as Ukraine’s security is our security," Rutte added.

The Secretary General also mentioned upcoming discussions with the South Korean President and the Ukrainian Defense Minister regarding the North Korean troop presence in Russia.

Military cooperation between Russia and North Korea

On October 4, the Kyiv Post reported that 20 soldiers were killed in a missile strike on occupied Donetsk, including six North Korean military personnel advising the Russian army.

The South Korean Defense Minister warned on October 8 that North Korea may deploy troops to Ukraine in support of Russia.

At an October 17 press conference in Brussels, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed Russia's plan to train 10,000 North Korean soldiers for combat in Ukraine.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Military Intelligence, later reported that 11,000 North Korean infantrymen are training in eastern Russia, preparing for deployment to Ukraine. He added that the first unit of 2,600 soldiers is en route to Kursk, where Ukraine has established a stronghold.

Ukraine has since shared intelligence with NATO about North Korea’s military involvement and requested data from alliance members.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that the participation of the North Korean military in the war against Ukraine on the side of Russia would mean a “significant escalation.” 

Later, it was reported that South Korea was considering providing Ukraine with military and intelligence assistance in response to North Korea's sending its military to fight on the side of Russia.

The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine reported that on October 23, the North Korean military was spotted in the Kursk region.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that according to intelligence, the first North Korean military would be used by Russia in combat zones on October 27-28.

On October 25, South Korea's intelligence agency announced that North Korea plans to send a second batch of its military personnel to Russia, totaling up to 10,000 people.