White House confirms North Korea sent 3,000 troops to Russia for military training

North Korea has deployed at least 3,000 soldiers to eastern Russia, marking an unprecedented level of military cooperation between the two nations, according to US officials.

North Korea has supplied Russia with artillery, missiles, and munitions for its war in Ukraine. Reports from Ukraine and South Korea say 3,000 North Korean troops, including special forces, are training in Russia’s Far East. Seoul expects up to 12,000 soldiers could soon follow. If deployed into Ukraine, these troops would reinforce Russia’s depleted forces amid continuing losses.

The White House’s National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby said on 23 October that North Korean troops traveled by ship from the Wonsan area to Vladivostok, Russia, in early-to-mid October. According to Kirby, these forces are currently stationed at multiple Russian military training sites in eastern Russia.

Earlier the same day, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin confirmed the presence of North Korean troops in Russia during remarks to traveling press in Rome, Italy.

“Well, our analysts are — they continue to look at this, and we are seeing evidence that there are North Korean troops that have gone to Africa. And I wouldn’t — excuse me, not Africa but Russia. What exactly they’re doing will have to be seen,” Austin told reporters.

Austin suggested that the US will monitor the presence of North Korean soldiers in Russia, warning that their involvement as co-belligerents would have serious global repercussions, affecting both Europe and the Indo-Pacific, with South Korea closely following the issue.

The White House assessment indicates the troops are undergoing basic combat training and familiarization, though their exact intended role remains unclear.

“We do not yet know whether these soldiers will enter into combat alongside the Russian military, but this is certainly a highly concerning probability,” Kirby stated.

US officials characterized the development as a sign of Russia’s growing military challenges.

“This is an indication that he [Russia’s ruler Putin] may be even in more trouble than most people realize,” Secretary Austin said.

The White House emphasized that any North Korean troops engaging in combat would become legitimate military targets for Ukraine.

“If they do deploy to fight against Ukraine, they’re fair game,” Kirby warned.

Kirby noted that Moscow’s cooperation with Pyongyang’s military “is in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions, which prohibit the procurement of arms from North Korea and military arms training. This move is likewise a violation.”

The White House said it has briefed the Ukrainian government and is consulting with allies about potential responses to this development.

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