NEW DELHI: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has confirmed that North Korean troops have been deployed to the Kursk region, aiding Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine. Rutte described this move as a “significant escalation” in “Russia’s illegal war,” a breach of UN Security Council resolutions and a dangerous expansion of the conflict.
Rutte is calling on Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to “cease these actions immediately.”

He emphasized that the deployment of North Korean troops reflects Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “growing desperation.” The war has killed or wounded more than 600,000 Russian soldiers, according to Rutte.

On Sunday, Oct. 27, Putin stated Russia’s Defense Ministry is developing responses if NATO allies assist Ukraine hit Russian territories using long-range missiles. He warned if Western-supplied missiles target areas deep within Russia, the Kremlin will consider it “the direct involvement of NATO countries” in the war.

In response, U.S. officials addressed Putin’s comments on Monday, Oct. 28. The Pentagon affirmed that the United States won’t restrict Ukraine’s use of American weapons, even if North Korea enters the conflict. The Pentagon estimates that Pyongyang has sent approximately 10,000 troops to assist Russia.