WASHINGTON/BRUSSELS — The Pentagon announced on Monday (Oct 28) that the US will not impose new restrictions on Ukraine's use of American weaponry even if North Korea becomes involved in Russia's conflict. This statement follows reports from NATO indicating that North Korean military units have been deployed to Russia's Kursk region.

This deployment raises concerns in the West that the ongoing 2.5-year war in Ukraine may escalate, especially as focus shifts towards developments in the Middle East. It may also reflect Russia's strategy to compensate for its increasing battlefield losses and to maintain gradual territorial gains in eastern Ukraine.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned that the strengthening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea poses a threat to security in both the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions. He spoke to reporters after discussions with a South Korean delegation regarding the North Korean troop movements.

President Joe Biden described the situation as "very dangerous."

According to Pentagon estimates, around 10,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to eastern Russia for training, a significant increase from the previous estimate of 3,000 reported last Wednesday. "Some of these soldiers have already moved closer to Ukraine, and we are increasingly concerned that Russia plans to employ these troops in combat or to support operations against Ukrainian forces in Russia's Kursk Oblast near the Ukrainian border," said Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh.

Initially, the Kremlin dismissed reports of North Korean troop deployments as "fake news." However, President Putin later did not refute the presence of North Korean troops in Russia, stating that it was a matter for Moscow regarding its partnership with Pyongyang.

Over the weekend, Putin indicated that Moscow would respond appropriately if the US and its allies assist Ukraine in carrying out strikes deep into Russian territory, viewing any such action as "direct involvement by NATO" in the conflict. Nevertheless, the US has shown no signs of approving Ukraine's request for deeper strikes.

While a North Korean foreign ministry official did not confirm the troop deployment, he suggested that if such actions were taken, they would align with international norms.

Ukrainian military intelligence reported on Thursday that North Korean units had been spotted in the Kursk border area, where Ukrainian forces have been active since a significant incursion in August. However, the Pentagon refrained from confirming the presence of North Korean troops in Kursk, with Singh stating, "They are likely moving in that direction, but I don't have further details."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy characterized the deployment as an escalation by Russia. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha noted that Kyiv had been alerting allies about the impending deployment for weeks and accused them of not responding effectively. "The bottom line: listen to Ukraine. The solution: lift restrictions on our long-range strikes against Russia now," he said on X.

Since their leaders met in Russia's Far East last year, military ties between North Korea and Russia have strengthened, culminating in a comprehensive strategic partnership and mutual defense pact signed in June. High-ranking officials from both nations have since engaged in numerous bilateral visits. North Korea's foreign minister, Choe Son-hui, departed Pyongyang on Monday for her second trip to Russia in six weeks.

Rutte described the troop deployment as indicative of "growing desperation" on Putin's part, noting that over 600,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded in the conflict, leading to Russia's reliance on foreign support to continue its offensive in Ukraine.

Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to the Ukrainian president, emphasized that sanctions alone would not adequately address North Korean involvement. He called for "weapons and a clear plan to prevent North Korea's expanded participation." "The enemy understands strength. Our allies possess this strength," Yermak stated on X.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters