New York | North Korea has sent troops to Russia to join the fight against Ukraine, a major shift in Moscow’s effort to win the war, US officials confirmed on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT). Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin called the North’s presence a “very, very serious” escalation that would have ramifications in both Europe and Asia.

“What exactly are they doing?” Mr Austin told reporters at a military base in Italy after a trip to Ukraine. “Left to be seen.” He gave no details about the number of troops already there or the number expected to arrive.