North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has accused the United States and Western nations of using the Ukrainian military as “shock troops” to fight Russia, warning that such actions could escalate into a global conflict, according to state media on Monday.

Seoul and Washington have alleged that nuclear-armed North Korea has deployed more than 10,000 soldiers to assist Russia in its war against Ukraine. Experts suggest Kim is eager to secure advanced Russian technology and combat experience for his troops in return.

Pyongyang has denied these allegations, and Kim did not address the claims in his speech to battalion commanders, as reported by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Kim stated that the US and its allies are leveraging the Ukraine conflict to “expand the scope of their military interventions globally” and to “enhance their combat experience, with Ukraine being used as shock troops” against Russia.

Washington’s ongoing military assistance to Ukraine, he added, raises concerns about the potential for World War III.

The North Korean leader vowed to strengthen his country’s nuclear defence capabilities “without limit.”

Kim’s remarks follow claims from Seoul last week that North Korean soldiers have already begun “engaging in combat operations” alongside Russian forces near Ukraine’s border.

Kim is likely considering additional deployments to support Russia’s war in Ukraine,” said Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification.

Last week, North Korea ratified a landmark defence pact with Russia, formalising a growing military alliance between the two nations, who were Communist allies during the Cold War.

Western nations fear that in exchange for sending troops, Russia may offer North Korea technological assistance that could significantly advance Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons programme.

North Korea has recently intensified its missile activities, firing multiple ballistic missiles and testing a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile.

The alleged deployment of North Korean troops has also shifted Seoul’s stance. South Korea, which has so far avoided supplying lethal weapons to Kyiv, hinted recently at revisiting its policy.