US Defense Secretary Officially Confirms Presence of North Korean Troops in Russia

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated on October 23 in Rome that there is evidence of North Korean troops in Russia, marking the first public confirmation from the US in response to multiple reports from Ukraine and South Korea.

"There is evidence that there are DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea - Ed.] troops in Russia. What exactly they are doing? Left to be seen. These are things that we need to sort out,” Austin said.

He did not disclose the number of North Korean troops reported to have arrived in Russia.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR), stated earlier that the first North Korean units were expected to arrive in Kursk region on October 23.