The Pentagon said North Korean troops could join the war in Ukraine

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has confirmed that he expects North Korean troops stationed in Russia to join the war against Ukraine. He warned that the move could lead to an expansion of the conflict.

Over the last month North Korea sent 10 thousand soldiers to eastern Russiawhere they began training at three military installations. About 2,000 of those troops have since moved west, some receiving Russian uniforms and equipment. A smaller group has already entered the Kursk area, where Ukrainian troops seized territory earlier this fall.

“There is a strong possibility that these groups will be involved in combat,” Austin said Wednesday, speaking alongside South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who was visiting Washington.

After publicly confirming last week that North Korea had sent troops to Russia, the Pentagon warned Pyongyang against joining the nearly three-year war. After decades of frosty relations, including years of Russian attempts to limit North Korea’s nuclear program – two countries have warmed up with each other after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

North Korea helped supply the Russian army with ammunition and other military equipment during the war, and their two leaders held several personal summits. US officials are concerned about what Pyongyang is getting in return.

This barter likely includes Russia transferring advanced technology for tactical purposes. nuclear weaponsreconnaissance satellites, intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear submarines, said Kim, South Korea’s defense minister.

“There is also a high likelihood that they will try to replace their equipment,” which may be outdated, Kim said.

The United States does not have direct relations with North Korea and has already imposed a number of sanctions against this country. Austin said the administration is working with allies on how to respond to the deployment, although he did not specify how.

“It does have the potential to lengthen or widen the conflict if it continues,” Austin said of these troops fighting alongside Russia. If they do so, he said, they will become fair targets for Ukrainian soldiers, including those with weapons provided by the Americans.

Pentagon and White House officials say the deployment is a sign of “desperation” on the part of Russia, which is suffering massive and mounting casualties in eastern Ukraine – more than 1,000 a day and more than 600,000 throughout the war.

On Wednesday, Austin went further, saying the Kremlin is now asking Pyongyang to provide manpower to avoid another conscription. Russia has been able to recoup most of its losses through recruitment, offering higher salaries and pensions, but mobilization may prove politically unpopular.

Russian President Vladimir Putin “doesn’t want to mobilize because then people in Russia will begin to understand the scale of his losses, their losses,” Austin said.

After the Russians advanced on the key eastern city of Pokrovsk this fall, Ukraine’s defenses held firm. However, Ukraine also suffering heavy losses and have a much smaller population, making them difficult to replace.