• Nato confirms North Korean troops deployed to Russia’s border region 
• Rutte described the deployment as a “serious escalation”
• He warned it was a “dangerous expansion” of Russia’s war in Ukraine

Nato confirms North Korean troops deployed to Russia’s border region 

For the first time, NATO has confirmed that North Korean troops are operating in Russia’s Kursk region, near areas where Ukrainian forces have gained a foothold. Secretary-General Mark Rutte made the announcement after meeting with South Korean security officials, citing weeks of intelligence reports.

Rutte described the deployment as a “serious escalation” and warned it was a “dangerous expansion” of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin sidestepped questions on North Korean troop presence, stating it was “Russia’s sovereign decision” to use external support, leaving specifics ambiguous.

According to Rutte, North Korea has also supplied Russia with missiles and ammunition. In exchange, Putin has offered North Korea military technology and other resources, a deal NATO claims is intended to help Pyongyang bypass international sanctions.