North Korea is gaining crucial military experience and equipment by sending troops to Russia, a U.S. official warned the United Nations, making the regime a growing threat to neighboring countries.

North Korea is “significantly benefiting” from its troops gaining battlefield experience fighting alongside Russian forces as it makes them more capable of waging war against rivals South Korea and Japan, a US official warned the UN.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that North Korean forces fighting alongside Russian troops against the Ukrainian military have sustained 4,000 casualties, both killed and wounded in action. Source: Interfax-Ukraine news agency,

US Secretary of State Tony Blinken also suggested that Putin may be on his way to accepting North Korea’s nuclear program

Blinken expresses concerns over Russia aiding North Korea's nuclear ambitions while reaffirming U.S.-South Korea alliance strength.

Weapons and missiles have allegedly been sent from North Korea to Russia, although both Moscow and Pyongyang continue to deny these transfers despite substantial evidence.