8,000 North Korean troops in Russia, US claims

There are 8,000 North Korean troops in Russia's Kursk region, US ambassador to the United Nations Robert Wood told the Security Council on Thursday and asked Moscow whether they would still stand with the statement that there are no DPRK troops in their country.

"I have a very respectful question for my Russian colleague: Does Russia still maintain that there are no DPRK troops in Russia?" Wood said as quoted by Reuters.

The Russian representative did not address the inquiry, and Russia has avoided explicit confirmation or denial of these troops' presence.

Following Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian forces advanced into the Kursk border region in August 2023, where they maintain a presence. Ukraine has identified three North Korean generals allegedly supervising their country's troops in Russia.

Multiple nations, including the US, Britain, and South Korea, contend that Russia's use of North Korean troops violates U.N. resolutions and its founding charter. These actions conflict with sanctions designed to restrict North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

Tensions escalated at the Security Council meeting when the US accused China of providing extensive support to Russia's defense industry. Wood stated: "China cannot credibly claim to be a voice for peace when it enables Russia to wage the largest war in Europe in decades. China's support to Russia is decisive. China's support is prolonging the war."

China's deputy UN Ambassador Geng Shuang rejected these claims, stating their country has not supplied weapons to any parties in the Ukraine conflict and manages dual-use items according to international standards. He criticized the US for "peddling anxiety, fabricating enemies and stoking confrontation."

The US recently imposed sanctions on approximately 400 entities and individuals across multiple countries, including China, to address sanctions evasion related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Security Council meeting was convened at Russia's request to discuss Western arms supplies to Ukraine.