North Korea sends 3,000 troops to Russia as Ukraine claims Brics summit backfires on Moscow

North Korea has reportedly sent 3,000 troops to Russia, marking a potential escalation in the Ukraine conflict. This is the first instance of a third country deploying troops to fight alongside Russia, according to U.S. and South Korean officials. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed evidence of North Korean troops in Russia, stating their involvement would be "very, very serious." The troops are reportedly being trained to operate drones and other equipment. In Ukraine, officials claim the recent Brics summit has backfired on Russia, as it failed to gain support for its invasion. Kyiv's foreign ministry stated that the summit highlighted global backing for Ukraine's pursuit of peace.