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.

North Korea’s Role in Russia’s War The United States has raised serious concerns about North Korea’s military cooperation with Russia in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The warning was issued after reports confirmed that North Korean soldiers are now fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.

The United States warned on Wednesday that North Korea is benefiting from its troops fighting alongside Russia against Ukraine, gaining experience that makes Pyongyang "more capable of waging war against its neighbors.

North Korea is learning combat lessons fighting Ukraine, a US official said. It means the authoritarian state is more of a threat to its neighbors. North Korea has dispatched around 12,000 troops to fight for Russia.

Pyongyang has provided Moscow with more than 10,000 soldiers, artillery, and ammunition during Russia’s war as the two sides have deepened their partnership.

Pyongyang might have acquired advanced missile technology from Moscow in exchange for its involvement in the war, analysts say North Korea could raise its army's deployment to support Russia's war in Ukraine to as many as 100,