US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated that he could not confirm reports of North Korea sending troops to Russia ahead of a potential deployment to participate in the war in Ukraine, according to Reuters. According to Austin, if this troop deployment is true, it would raise concerns. South Korea’s intelligence agency reported on Friday, October 18, that North Korea sent 1,500 special forces troops to Russia’s Far East for training and acclimatization at local military bases. They are likely to be deployed for combat operations against Ukraine. North Korean troops in Ukraine President Volo…