WASHINGTON (Reuters)

The Pentagon stated on Monday that Ukraine will not face new U.S. weapon usage restrictions against North Korean forces, should they engage in combat.

Currently, an estimated 10,000 North Korean troops are deployed in eastern Russia for training. Some of these soldiers have already advanced toward Ukraine, raising concerns that Russia plans to utilize them in combat or supporting operations against Ukrainian forces, particularly in Russia's Kursk Oblast, near the Ukrainian border.

Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh mentioned that while military units from North Korea were deployed to Russia's Kursk region, they have not confirmed their presence. Singh pointed out, "It is likely that they are moving in that direction toward Kursk. But I don't have more details just yet."

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also confirmed the deployment of North Korean military units to the area previously captured by Ukrainian forces during a surprise summer offensive.