The United States estimates there are as many as 12,000 North Korean troops in Russia, with 10,000 of those in the Kursk region. “Should these troops engage in combat support operations against Ukraine, they would become legitimate military targets,” Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder said on Monday, echoing comments made last week by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. He said the Pentagon was “looking into” reports about alleged North Korean combat operations. The troops from Pyongyang arrived in Russia last month, officials have said. Moscow’s forces have been training them in infantry and artillery …