North Korean troops in Russian uniforms moving towards Ukraine, Pentagon says

Some of nan 10,000 North Korean troops successful Russia are moving person to Ukraine "outfitted pinch Russian uniforms and provided pinch Russian equipment," Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Wednesday. 

"I americium progressively concerned that nan Kremlin plans to usage these North Korean soldiers to support Russia's combat operations successful Russia's Kursk region, adjacent nan separator pinch Ukraine," Austin said astatine nan Pentagon successful a news convention Wednesday pinch South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun. 

Austin said it remains to beryllium seen whether nan North Korean troops participate successful combat, but "there is simply a bully likelihood" they will, fixed nan precocious number of casualties connected Russia's side. 

A TV surface shows an image of soldiers believed to beryllium from North Korea guidelines successful statement to person supplies from Russia during a news programme astatine Seoul Railway Station successful Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024. Ahn Young-joon / AP

One of Ukraine's goals erstwhile it launched its astonishment offensive into nan Kursk area of Russia successful early August was to tie Russian forces distant from eastbound Ukraine. That hasn't happened successful immoderate meaningful way, according to U.S. officials. Instead, Russia has slow been clawing backmost territory successful Kursk while maintaining unit successful eastbound Ukraine – but astatine a important cost. 

September 2024 registered nan highest number of Russian casualties successful nan complete two-year war, according to a elder defense official. The North Korean movements could beryllium Putin's measurement of trying to take sides gains successful Kursk without having to strengthen moreover higher Russian casualties aliases bid a wide mobilization, which would beryllium unpopular successful Russia. 

To prolong nan war, Russia has recovered different sources of support. North Korea has already provided ammunition, Iran has sent missiles and drones, and China has provided technological thief for Russia's defense production. 

"[Putin has] gone to different countries for weapons and munitions, and now he's going to different countries for people," Austin said. 

Ukraine tin usage its weapons and weapons nan U.S. has provided to take sides itself, including against North Koreans who would beryllium considered "co-belligerents"— aliases morganatic targets — if they participate nan fight, according to Austin. 

Kim, nan South Korean defense minister, raised nan interest that North Korea, successful return for providing Russia pinch soldiers, whitethorn inquire for technological thief for tactical atomic and intercontinental ballistic rocket programs. 

Kim and South Korea's Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul are successful Washington, D.C. this week to participate successful U.S.-South Korea meetings pinch their counterparts astatine nan Pentagon and State Department.