US State Department Confirms North Korean Troops Began Combat Operations in Russia’s Kursk Region

The US State Department reported on November 12 that North Korean troops have started engaging in combat alongside Russian forces.

"Over 10,000 DPRK (North Korean) soldiers have been sent to eastern Russia, with most relocating to the far western Kursk region, where they have begun combat operations with Russian forces," State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel stated during a briefing.

According to South Korean intelligence, North Korea has dispatched approximately 12,000 troops to support Russia’s operations, suggesting a significant contribution to Moscow’s military efforts.

Russia has reportedly assembled a group of 50,000 troops, including North Korean units, in the Kursk region for a planned offensive against Ukrainian positions. North Korean soldiers have been training alongside Russian forces in the region, with an attack involving these units expected in the coming days.