North Korean Troops in Russia: Blinken Raises Alarm

North Korean Troops Deployed to Russia Amid Rising Tensions, Blinken Warns of Potential Combat in Ukraine

Washington: In a significant update on the escalating geopolitical situation in Eastern Europe, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has disclosed that an estimated 10,000 North Korean troops are currently stationed in Russia, with approximately 8,000 positioned in the Kursk region near Ukraine’s border. During a recent press briefing alongside US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, and South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, Blinken expressed concerns over the potential deployment of these North Korean forces in direct combat with Ukrainian troops in the coming days.

“We now assess that there are some 10,000 North Korean soldiers in total in Russia,” Blinken stated, “and recent intelligence indicates that as many as 8,000 of those forces have been deployed in the Kursk region.” While he noted that these troops have not yet engaged in combat, he warned of imminent hostilities, emphasizing that the training provided to these troops by Russia underscores Moscow’s intention to utilize them on the front lines. According to Blinken, North Korean forces in Russia have been trained in artillery, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations, and infantry tactics, suggesting they are being readied for direct or combat-support roles.

Blinken strongly condemned Russia’s reliance on foreign troops, describing it as an indication of weakness in President Vladimir Putin’s strategy. “Putin is throwing Russians into a meat grinder of his own making in Ukraine, and now he’s turning to North Korean troops—a clear sign of desperation,” he commented. Blinken suggested that Russia’s use of foreign troops for the first time in a century signals the strain that the prolonged conflict in Ukraine has placed on its military resources.

Highlighting the intensity of the conflict, Blinken noted that Russia is incurring substantial daily losses, estimating Russian casualties at around 12,000 per day. This statistic, if accurate, underscores the heavy toll the war is exacting on Russian forces and sheds light on the Kremlin’s decision to bolster its ranks with foreign personnel, including North Korean soldiers. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte recently confirmed reports of North Korean deployments in Russia following intelligence from Ukrainian military sources. These troops are reportedly positioned in the Kursk region, a critical location along the Russian-Ukrainian border.

In addition to the ground conflict in Ukraine, Blinken addressed another emerging security concern: North Korea’s recent missile activities. Just hours before his remarks, North Korea had launched a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), drawing widespread international condemnation. Blinken reiterated the United States’ unwavering commitment to regional security, stating, “One of the things we emphasize today is the reaffirmation of the United States’ ironclad commitment to security… That’s important in light of ongoing provocations coming from North Korea.”

Japan’s Defense Ministry also provided details on the North Korean missile launch. The missile, identified as ICBM-class, was launched early Thursday morning and flew eastward over a 1,000-kilometer trajectory, reaching a peak altitude of 7,000 kilometers before splashing down outside Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), roughly 200 kilometers west of Okushiri Island near Hokkaido. Japan’s Defense Minister Nakatani Gen confirmed that this missile flight—lasting approximately one hour and 26 minutes—marks the longest-duration launch by North Korea to date, further intensifying security concerns in the region. This launch represents North Korea’s 12th ballistic missile or suspected ballistic missile test this year, underscoring Pyongyang’s continued defiance of international warnings and sanctions.

The alignment between Russia and North Korea has raised alarms in the West, especially as Moscow’s options for military reinforcements dwindle. Analysts suggest that North Korean soldiers, seasoned in demanding military training under strict discipline, could offer valuable reinforcement for Russia’s faltering military campaign in Ukraine. However, the potential escalation, with foreign troops directly engaging in the conflict, could shift the dynamics of the war, prompting stronger responses from NATO and its allies.

Both the United States and South Korea have condemned North Korea’s actions and expressed concern about the regional implications of such provocative behavior. Defense Minister Austin highlighted the implications of North Korea’s growing involvement, remarking that any use of North Korean troops against Ukraine would raise serious questions about the stability of alliances in the region and Russia’s long-term strategy. The Republic of Korea’s ministers also echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need for coordinated responses to contain Pyongyang’s military ambitions and support for Moscow.

Blinken concluded his remarks by reaffirming the US and its allies’ resolve to address this complex web of threats, noting that the current situation requires close monitoring and a unified approach. With new intelligence coming to light, Western leaders continue to deliberate on the best course of action to counter both Russian aggression in Ukraine and North Korean provocations in East Asia.

The US and its allies have not yet indicated what specific measures they might employ in response to this alignment between Moscow and Pyongyang. However, analysts suggest that heightened sanctions, military assistance to Ukraine, and increased defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific may be on the table as a counterbalance to these developments.

As the international community watches closely, the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia marks a new phase in the Ukraine conflict, revealing the lengths to which both Moscow and Pyongyang are willing to go in their strategic partnership.