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 Korean troops have been deployed to bolster Russian forces in the Kursk border region with Ukraine, where they are gaining battlefield experience despite initial heavy losses.

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.

Ukraine has captured two North Korean soldiers alive after they were wounded while fighting for Russia, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed Saturday.

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.

Dorothy Camille Shea, the Deputy US Ambassador to the UN, has warned that North Korea’s involvement in the war against Ukraine provides its forces with valuable combat experience, significantly boosting their readiness for potential military actions against neighboring countries, Reuters reports.

Dorothy Camille Shea, the deputy US ambassador to the UN, told the UNSC that North Korea is becoming ‘better prepared for war’ in its neighbouring region as it continues to help Russia in its ongoing

North Korean troops have been fighting with Russian forces in the war against Ukraine, with one Ukrainian commander detailing their "meat grinder strategy".