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U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated on Saturday that he could not confirm reports that North Korea had sent troops to Russia to participate in the war against Ukraine.
During a press conference in Naples, Austin remarked, “I cannot confirm these reports at this time. This is something we will continue to investigate.”
Austin emphasized that such a move would be concerning if true.
South Korea’s intelligence agency reported on Friday that North Korea had sent 1,500 special forces soldiers to Russia’s Far East for training and acclimatization at local military bases, and they are likely to be deployed for combat operations against Ukraine.
On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused North Korea of preparing to send 10,000 troops to aid Moscow.
However, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated earlier this week that there is no evidence to support these claims at this stage.
Estonian intelligence believes that the involvement of North Korean soldiers in the war on Russia’s side would not significantly change the situation on the front.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer commented that if the participation of North Korean troops on Russia’s side is confirmed, it would reflect the “level of desperation” in the Kremlin.
