World / Russia US Gives Count of North Korean Troops in Russia As NATO confirms their presence in the Kursk region By Newser.AI Read our AI policy Posted Oct 28, 2024 3:25 PM CDT Copied NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, left, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speak to journalists during a news conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Oct. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka, File) See 4 more photos The US has put a number on the amount of troops North Korea has sent to Russia to bolster its war against Ukraine: approximately 10,000 soldiers. Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said portion of these troops have already advanced towards Ukraine. "We are increasingly concerned that Russia intends to use these soldiers in combat or to support combat operations against Ukrainian forces in Russia's Kursk" region, she told reporters. NATO appeared to back up those concerns by confirming the arrival of some soldiers in the Kursk border region. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized that this escalation represents a "dangerous expansion of Russia's war." The deployment underscores an intensifying collaboration between Russia and North Korea amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, while not directly acknowledging the North Korean troop presence, underscored a recent joint security pact between Moscow and Pyongyang. Lavrov dismissed NATO's concerns saying, "Western military personnel long have been working in Ukraine." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) < > Stormzy Banned From Driving After Using Phone Jan 2, 2025 2:49 PM CST El Salvador's Homicide Rate Reaches Historic Low in 2024 Jan 2, 2025 2:42 PM CST Gov. Andy Beshear Laughs Off Social Media Criticism 13 hours, 5 minutes ago Danish-Swedish Farmdog Joins American Kennel Club Roster Jan 2, 2025 2:35 PM CST 2nd Homeland Security Agent Charged in Drug Scheme 13 hours, 35 minutes ago New Zealand Policewoman Killed in New Year's Attack Jan 2, 2025 1:45 AM CST Mikaela Shiffrin Eyes Snow After Injury Recovery Jan 2, 2025 2:32 PM CST Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza Kill at Least 50, Including Kids 14 hours, 5 minutes ago Italy Demands Release of Journalist Detained in Iran Jan 2, 2025 2:46 PM CST Florida's Former Gov. Buddy MacKay Dies at 91 12 hours, 35 minutes ago Unemployment Claims Hit Lowest Since March Jan 2, 2025 2:38 PM CST German Government Condemns New Year's Eve Firework Attacks Jan 2, 2025 12:15 AM CST Pope Francis Offers Pro-Life New Year's Message Jan 2, 2025 1:15 AM CST Shooting in Montenegro Leaves 10 Dead Including Children Jan 2, 2025 12:45 AM CST South Korea's Impeached President Vows to Defy Detention Jan 2, 2025 5:36 AM CST Zoo's Elephants and Giraffes Enjoy Christmas Tree Feast 59 minutes ago Mexico Considers Accepting Non-Mexican Migrants Deported by US 54 minutes ago Jets Interview Former Titans Coach Mike Vrabel for Head Coach 1 hour, 4 minutes ago See 4 more photos Report an error