Regarding the trends of North Korean troops dispatched to support Russia in the war in Ukraine, a Russian official stated that while North Korean forces are mostly stationed in Russia's Kursk Oblast, the possibility remains open for them to be deployed to other regions if a counteroffensive is needed.

According to Hong Kong's Phoenix TV on October 2, Rodion Miroshnik, Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made the remarks in a recent interview with the media outlet.

Ambassador Miroshnik stated, "The frontline is not limited to the four new (incorporated) regions that were previously Ukraine. First of all, these regions are all Russian territory under the Russian Constitution," adding, "North Korean soldiers are primarily deployed in Kursk Oblast, which is existing Russian territory."

He emphasized, "According to the intelligence we have gathered, North Korean troops are mainly participating in eliminating the results of Ukraine's invasion of Kursk Oblast, but this does not mean they cannot be used in other military operation directions."

When asked whether North Korean troops could be utilized in other directions, he said, "Under the decision of the Russian Ministry of Defense and in accordance with the structure of the bilateral North Korea-Russia cooperation treaty, North Korean forces can be used in any direction necessary to respond to Ukraine's attacks."

He also stated, "North Korea-Russia cooperation is a legitimate act under a close bilateral cooperation structure," and "Regardless of which territory within Russia North Korean troops enter, it is entirely in accordance with international law."

Previously, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on September 28 that "more than 8,000 North Korean troops are in Russian territory, and preparations are underway to deploy an additional force of around 10,000 troops."

South Korea's National Intelligence Service reported to the National Assembly on September 30, "Currently, about 9,000 North Korean combat troops are performing guard duties at the Kursk border in Russia. No trends of additional deployments have been detected, but we are closely monitoring the situation."

Ambassador Miroshnik also mentioned that while Ukraine could potentially increase foreign mercenaries in the future due to the depletion of its human resources, doing so would violate international treaties, adding that there are currently about 7,000 mercenaries on the frontline.

"The threats against us come from outside Ukrainian territory, from the United States and Europe. Once these threats are eliminated, Russia's security can be guaranteed," he criticized, adding, "(Britain and Europe) continue to provide funds and weapons to Ukraine while failing to make efforts for the progress of negotiations."

He forecasted, "Currently, 90% of the military supplies used by Ukraine come from Europe and its satellite states. If this support is cut off, the war will end in 3 to 4 months."

He further demanded, "The peace agreement to be achieved at this stage must be precise. There must be specific steps, and the obligations to be fulfilled by each party must be clearly defined."

Ambassador Miroshnik evaluated that "(Unlike the early days of the war), 90% of casualties are now caused by drone attacks," and "As the attack range of drones has expanded, it has become very difficult to clearly determine where the contact line is."

He also criticized, "(According to investigation results), Ukraine is housing drone assembly sites inside movie studios. Ukraine routinely stores weapons and munitions in the basements of buildings where civilians reside and live."

Regarding the recent intensification of Russian military attacks on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, he explained, "Due to the decrease in air defense equipment, Ukraine is intensively deploying its air defense and interception systems in Kyiv. Military factories that were previously scattered across various regions have all been relocated to Kyiv."

(Photo: Capture from TASS News Agency social media, Yonhap News)