Pentagon's chief: Putin will not prevail in Ukraine even with more help from North Korea

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin believes that even with the involvement of North Korean troops, Russian leader Vladimir Putin will not succeed in his war against Ukraine.

Austin mentioned during a press conference with South Korean Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun that he and his South Korean counterpart had discussed a potential response to this "dangerous and destabilising escalation".

"The evidence now suggests that North Korea has sent around 10,000 soldiers to train in eastern Russia and some of these DPRK troops have already moved closer to Ukraine," Austin said.

Austin said the North Korean soldiers were dressed in Russian uniforms and carrying Russian equipment. 

"I am increasingly concerned that the Kremlin plans to use these North Korean soldiers to support Russia's combat operations in Russia's Kursk region," he added.

He emphasised that turning to a pariah state like North Korea for military assistance only underscores the extent of Putin's challenges. 

Austin stressed that the US is fully aware of the security implications for both Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

"Putin will not prevail in Ukraine even with more help from North Korea, but these deeply concerning developments only underscore the importance of our alliance with the ROK and other allies and partners committed to shared security and prosperity," he pointed out.

Earlier, the Pentagon confirmed that North Korean military, which had arrived in Russia for training, had begun to march towards Kursk Oblast, while some of them were already there. 

According to the most recent US estimates, North Korea has sent approximately 10,000 troops to Russia for exercises and participation in hostilities against Ukraine.

CNN reports that some North Korean military personnel may already be in Ukraine.