"Could be something significant": the Pentagon said what determines the role of DPRK troops in the war

The U.S. Department of Defense cannot confirm that North Korean troops have already taken part in hostilities in the Kursk region of Russia, where the Ukrainian Defense Forces are conducting an operation. At the same time, the deployment of North Korean soldiers could play a "certain role" in Russia's attempts to push the Ukrainian Armed Forces out of the region.

It will all depend on how the Russian command decides to use these troops. This was stated by Pentagon spokesman Major General Patrick Ryder at a briefing on November 4.

According to U.S. estimates, the total number of DPRK troops in Russia could be 11-12 thousand, of which about 10 thousand are in the Kursk region.

"We have seen press reports about possible military operations. We are studying them, but we cannot confirm these reports at this time. But, as you heard, Secretary Austin (Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin – Ed.) said last week that if these troops take part in combat operations against Ukraine, they will become legitimate military targets," he said.

According to him, all indications are that the DPRK military will provide the Russians with additional capabilities to fight or support the battle.

Ryder recalled that when the Ukrainian Armed Forces launched an operation in the Kursk region, the Russian army gave a "very confusing" response. So far, the Russians have been unable to recapture the territories under the control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Thus, the deployment of 10-12 thousand North Korean troops in the Kursk region is likely to be of great importance.

"So the deployment of these additional 10-12 thousand soldiers in the Kursk region could certainly be something significant in terms of combat capability. But a lot will depend on how these forces will be used, how they will be integrated into the Russian command and control," said the US Defense Department representative.

At the same time, he reminded that the Ukrainian military are battle-hardened veterans who know how to fight.

"So everything indicates that they will continue to defend Ukrainian sovereignty and the territory they control in the Kursk region. So we'll see how it ends," Ryder added.

As for the number of Russian troops together with North Korean soldiers, the Pentagon spokesman urged not to jump to conclusions, as "the numbers can be misleading."

"Look at what Ukraine did when Russia invaded in 2022. How a small number of forces were able to significantly impede the achievement of the strategic goals of what was and remains the largest army in Europe. Therefore, much depends on how Russia decides to use these forces, how well they are integrated, and what kind of combat experience they have. We continue to consult with our allies and partners. And we also continue to work to provide security assistance to Ukraine," he summarized.

As a reminder, in his evening address on November 4, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also reported on the growing number of North Koreans in the Kursk region of Russia. According to him, there are already 11 thousand of them there. He cited Ukrainian intelligence data.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, Andriy Kovalenko, said that Russia is already involving military personnel from the DPRK in the fighting at the front. According to him, they have already come under fire in the Kursk region.

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