In a recent interview, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed allegations regarding the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia following U.S. claims of evidence showing that 3,000 soldiers had been sent. Responding during the conclusion of the Brics summit in Kazan, Putin emphasized that it was up to Moscow to manage its mutual defense agreements with Pyongyang.

When questioned about satellite images reportedly depicting North Korean troop movements, Putin remarked, “Images are a serious thing. If there are images, then they reflect something.” He reiterated his position that the West has exacerbated the Ukraine conflict, suggesting that they are deluded if they believe they can deliver a strategic blow to Russia.

The U.S. and South Korea have reported that North Korean forces have arrived in Ukraine, raising concerns about Ukraine’s manpower challenges. Observers noted the significance of Putin’s failure to outright deny these allegations during such a prominent forum.

Despite the seriousness of the claims, no other Brics leaders publicly addressed the topic, focusing instead on calls for restraint. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military intelligence announced that North Korean units trained in Russia were noted to be present in the Kursk region, where significant Ukrainian military activity had occurred in August.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged for a “just peace” in his speech and met with Putin for discussions later that day. Guterres emphasized the need for collaboration among nations to tackle global challenges and urged Brics members not to view their coalition as a substitute for the UN.

Putin commented on the struggle for a “more just world order,” attributing obstacles to “forces accustomed to domination.” He criticized the foreign backers of Kyiv for openly seeking a strategic defeat for Russia, asserting that such beliefs ignore the historical resilience and unity of the Russian spirit.