White House says 3,000 North Korean troops training in Russia

​​​​​​​WASHINGTON

At least 3,000 North Korean soldiers are in eastern Russia for training ahead of a possible deployment to the frontlines to join the Kremlin's war against Ukraine, the White House said Wednesday.

The assessment, based on declassified US intelligence, indicates that the soldiers were transported by boat in early to mid-October from the port city of Wonsan in North Korea to the Russian Pacific coast city of Vladivostok, according to National Security Council John Kirby.

The troops were then transported to three Russian military facilities where training is ongoing, but it remains unclear if they will eventually join Moscow's war effort.

"We do not yet know whether these soldiers will enter into combat alongside the Russian military, but this is certainly a highly concerning probability. After completing training, these soldiers could travel to western Russia and then engage in combat against the Ukrainian military," he said.

"We have briefed the Ukrainian government on our understanding of this situation, and we're certainly consulting closely with other allies, partners and countries in the region on the implications of such a dramatic move, and on how we might respond," he added.

The US lacks a firm understanding of what the training entails, but Kirby said it is generally thought to entail basic combat training. He warned North Korea that if its troops join the fray in Ukraine "they will become legitimate military targets."

The acknowledgment of the training comes after the White House said Monday that Russia is suffering more than 1,200 casualties per day in Ukraine, calling it a "truly historic amount of soldiers killed and wounded in this fight."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed Tuesday that North Korea is preparing two military brigades to support Russia’s war in Ukraine.

“Several reports were made by Commander-in-Chief (Oleksandr) Syrskyi regarding our frontline situation and prospects for the near future. In particular, we have information that two units of military personnel from North Korea are being trained – potentially even two brigades of 6,000 people each,” Zelenskyy said in an evening video address.

“This is a challenge, but we know how to respond to it. It’s crucial that our partners do not shy away from this challenge as well,” he added.