Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has accused Russia of escalating its invasion of Ukraine by involving North Korea “on a war party scale.”
Sybiha wrote on social media on Friday: “North Korea is aiding Russian aggression against Ukraine with weapons and personnel. Not mercenaries. Regular units.”
He reiterated calls for support for Kyiv from Western countries to end the invasion.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service said on the same day that North Korea dispatched about 1,500 special forces troops to Russia’s Far East this month.
It also said it believes the soldiers will be deployed to the battle front in Ukraine after undergoing training by the Russian military.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told reporters on Friday, “At this moment, our official position is that we cannot confirm reports that North Koreans are actively now as soldiers engaged in the war effort.”
The head of Ukraine’s defense intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, reportedly said that about 11,000 North Korean infantry troops are currently being trained in Russia, and are expected to be ready for combat against Ukraine by November 1.