A contingent of North Korean soldiers has been observed in Russia‘s Kursk region, which borders Ukraine and has been the site of ongoing military activities, as reported by Ukraine’s military intelligence service on Thursday.

In a statement shared on its official Telegram channel, the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine indicated that some North Korean troops, who had undergone training in Russia’s far east, have arrived in this western region of Russia, where Ukraine has maintained a presence since its incursion began in August.

The intelligence agency noted that these troops were sighted in Kursk on Wednesday. It also mentioned that approximately 12,000 North Korean soldiers currently stationed in Russia are undergoing training at five military training facilities located in the eastern part of the country.

Initially, the Kremlin had rejected claims regarding the deployment of North Korean troops; however, during the BRICS summit on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin did not refute the assertion that Pyongyang had sent soldiers to Russia.

The figure of 12,000 reported on Thursday exceeds the estimates previously indicated by US officials. On Wednesday, John Kirby, spokesperson for the US National Security Council, informed the media that at least 3,000 North Korean soldiers had arrived in eastern Russia this month.

Ukrainian intelligence reported on Thursday that a period of “several weeks” has been designated for the coordination of North Korean troops, which includes 500 officers and three generals.

Ukraine has consistently cautioned that the strengthening ties between Russia and North Korea could lead to a more active involvement of Pyongyang in the conflict in Ukraine.

On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Kyiv had intelligence regarding Russia “training two military units from North Korea,” potentially comprising “two brigades of 6,000 personnel each.” He noted that Ukraine has observed North Korean “officers and technical staff in the temporarily occupied territories” and suspects that Russia is “preparing a contingent” to deploy into Ukraine.

This development has raised significant concerns among Ukraine’s allies. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis described it as a “major escalation in the war” during a Thursday interview with CNN. “It’s no longer regional, it’s no longer just European – it is a global conflict, and it affects everybody,” Landsbergis remarked.

Moscow Maintains Communication with Pyongyang

The President of Russia did not refute the reports regarding the presence of North Korean troops when questioned on the matter on Thursday.

In response to inquiries from journalists about claims that North Korea was dispatching soldiers to support Russia in its conflict with Ukraine, Putin stated that his nation is “in contact” with Pyongyang.

“We have always believed that the North Korean leadership takes our agreements seriously,” he remarked during a press conference in Kazan, Russia. “However, the specifics of our actions are our own concern.”

As both nations face isolation from the West, Russia and North Korea have developed increasingly amicable relations since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

In June, the two countries formalized a significant defense agreement, committing to utilize all available resources to provide immediate military support if either nation is attacked.

North Korea has been accused multiple times of supplying arms to Russia for its operations in Ukraine, a claim both nations have denied, despite substantial evidence indicating such transfers.

These arms shipments, which consist of thousands of metric tons of munitions, have enabled Russia to replenish its depleting stockpiles in a conflict where Ukrainian forces have consistently been outgunned and outnumbered. In return, the cash-strapped North Korea is believed to have received food and other essential supplies.