DPRK deployed the soldiers to eastern Russia in early-to-mid October 2024, with troops currently undergoing combat training, potentially preparing for deployment against Ukraine.
US officials report that Russia shifted several thousand troops from occupied Ukrainian territories to the Kursk Oblast, following a surprise Ukrainian incursion, but Russia primarily deploys untrained conscripts there rather than moving its more experienced units from Ukraine.
White House official John Kirby dismisses as "horse-hockey" "a funny bit of Putin propaganda" that Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Oblast represents a war between the West and Russia. If Putin doesn't like Ukraine's defense, "then there's an easy solution: He can just get the hell out of Ukraine and call it a day," he says.
White House National Security Advisor John Kirby also reassured reporters that there were no changes to US policies regarding the use of American-supplied weapons for strikes inside Russia, even as Ukraine launches an offensive into Kursk oblast.
White House official John Kirby highlighted that the United States is helping Ukraine win the war against Russian aggression, pointing to President Joe Biden and other countries signing a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine to provide long-term support for Ukraine's defense.