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) < > Melinda Gates Boosts GivingTuesday With $1M Match 4 hours, 15 minutes ago GM Expands Recall to Include More Heavy-Duty Trucks 4 hours, 20 minutes ago 3 Killed, 5 Injured in Chicago House Party Shooting 4 hours, 25 minutes ago After 37 Years, Actor Leaves Neighbours Amidst Cancer Battle 11 hours, 16 minutes ago Philadelphia Celebrates Rocky Balboa With Action-Packed RockyFest 11 hours, 46 minutes ago Randy Moss Reveals Health Battle, Seeks Support 12 hours, 16 minutes ago Belgian Court Rules Colonial Actions Were Crimes Against Humanity 12 hours, 46 minutes ago Hawaii Crime Boss Michael Miske Dies Before Sentencing Dec 2, 2024 5:03 PM CST Puppy's Ashes Returned to Pilot's Family After Crash Dec 2, 2024 4:57 PM CST BBC Faces Scrutiny Over Gregg Wallace Allegations Dec 2, 2024 12:09 PM CST ICC President Condemns US and Russia Threats Dec 2, 2024 12:06 PM CST West Virginia Parts Ways With Football Coach Neal Brown Dec 1, 2024 8:46 PM CST Legendary St. John's Coach Lou Carnesecca Has Died Dec 1, 2024 8:44 PM CST See 4 more photos Report an error