For the first time, Nato has acknowledged that North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia and are operating in the Kursk border region where Ukrainian troops have a foothold.
Nato classed this as a “significant escalation” and a “dangerous expansion” of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The BBC reports that Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte said he could confirm the deployment after weeks of speculation, following a meeting with South Korean intelligence and defence officials on Monday.
Last week, President Vladimir Putin refused to deny that North Korean troops had arrived in Russia, following reports that Pyongyang was preparing to send thousands of troops to aid its ally.
According to the BBC, South Korea’s spy agency said earlier this month that at least 1,500 North Korean troops had arrived in Russia, prompting Seoul to deliver a stern diplomatic rebuke to Moscow.
Rutte’s intervention yesterday marked the first time Nato had formally acknowledged that Pyongyang’s forces were operating in Russia. He said the partnership between Russia and North Korea was “undermining global peace and security”.
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