North Korean troops are participating in combat operations alongside the occupiers, confirmed Ryder.
"Most of them have moved to the far west of the Kursk region," he stated.
North Korean servicemen have been trained in artillery operation, drone management, and basic infantry combat—skills that will primarily be utilized on the front lines, noted a representative of the U.S. Department of Defense.
The New York Times reported on November 10, citing sources within the Ukrainian and U.S. governments, that the occupiers have assembled 50,000 troops, including North Korean soldiers, in preparation for an offensive in the Kursk region of Russia. A Ukrainian official indicated that the North Korean forces have been divided into two groups: an assault unit and a support unit. It is expected that the North Koreans will fight as light infantry, without the advantages of armored vehicles.