Rutte: NATO lacks evidence of DPRK military involvement in Ukraine

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that the alliance has found no evidence to support claims of North Korean (DPRK) troops being involved in the conflict in Ukraine.

Speaking at a press conference following the first day of NATO defence ministers' meetings, he stated that NATO has no evidence of the presence of the DPRK military in Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

However, he noted that NATO suspects North Korea of providing military support to Russia through the supply of weapons and technology. Rutte mentioned that the defence ministers had discussed the potential involvement of North Korea, China, and Iran in the ongoing conflict.

The U.S. Department of Defence has similarly indicated that it has no information confirming the presence of DPRK troops in the area of the special military operation in Ukraine. Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder addressed this issue during a regular briefing, stating, “We have seen reports and statements regarding the possible deployment of DPRK forces to Russia or Ukraine. At this time, we are investigating, but we cannot confirm or expand upon those reports.”

He suggested that if true, such developments would indicate a deepening cooperation between Russia and North Korea but reiterated the ongoing monitoring of the situation.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused North Korea of assisting Russia not only with weapons and labour but also with troops, claiming that approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers are currently in Russia supporting military operations.

Zelenskyy emphasized that North Korea provides Russia with both weaponry and personnel, including workers at Russian factories, urging international partners to increase their support for Ukraine. He warned that Pyongyang was “preparing thousands of soldiers to be sent to Ukraine,” although no troop movements had yet begun.

On October 10, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed media allegations regarding the involvement of North Korean soldiers in Russia's military operations in Ukraine, describing them as unfounded rumours.

On June 19,  Russia and North Korea signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement, which includes provisions for military assistance in the event of a defensive conflict.

By Tamilla Hasanova