Blinken Warns of North Korean Troops Joining Ukraine Conflict

The U.S. government has reported that approximately 8,000 North Korean troops are positioned in Russia's Kursk region and are expected to engage in combat against Ukrainian forces in the coming days. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that these troops have been trained by Russia in artillery, infantry tactics, and drone operations, indicating their imminent deployment to the front lines. This development is seen as a sign of weakness for Russia, which is reportedly suffering heavy casualties and has increasingly relied on North Korean assistance. The Pentagon assessed that there are about 10,000 North Korean soldiers in Russia, though these numbers will not compensate for the losses already incurred by Russian forces. The situation is further complicated by North Korea's recent missile tests, which reflect its strengthening military ties with Russia amid rising global tensions. U.S. officials are coordinating with South Korean counterparts to formulate responses to this evolving military collaboration.