North Korean troops in Ukraine ‘fair game’, US warns Russia as war rages on

Reports are intensifying that up to 12,000 North Korean troops are training in Russia’s Far East in preparation to fight alongside Moscow.

United States defence secretary Lloyd Austin has waded in on reports that North Korea was preparing to enter the Ukraine war with troops.

“If they are co-belligerents, if their intention is to participate in this war on Russia’s behalf, that is a very, very serious issue,” Austin said.

Austin was returning from his fourth visit to Kyiv, where he announced a $400m package of US weapons for Ukraine.

John Kirby, White House national security spokesman, said Washington believes that at least 3,000 North Korean soldiers arrived this month by sea to Vladivostok, Russia’s largest Pacific port.

“These soldiers then travelled onward to multiple Russian military training sites in eastern Russia, where they are currently undergoing training,” Kirby said on Wednesday. “We do not yet know whether these soldiers will enter into combat alongside the Russian military, but this is certainly a highly concerning probability.”