North Korean soldiers stationed in Russia are being transported towards the Ukrainian border, United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference with his South Korean counterpart, Kim Yong-hyun, Austin described the personnel as being outfitted with Russian uniforms and equipment as they maneuvered in the embattled Kursk region.
Earlier this week, the Pentagon confirmed intelligence reports from Kiev indicating the presence of at least 10,000 members of North Korea’s army training in the far eastern regions of Russia.
Ukraine’s United Nations Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya informed an emergency meeting of the Security Council that his government anticipates the foreign fighters will be within striking distance of his country’s territory in the coming days.
Austin speculated that “the likelihood is pretty high” the contingent will soon be directly engaged with Ukraine’s armed forces.
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