North Korean soldiers deployed in Russia have reportedly gained access to the unrestricted internet for the first time, with many taking advantage of this newfound freedom to view pornography, according to reports Financial times journalist Gideon Rachman.

“A generally reliable source tells me that the North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia have never had unfettered access to the Internet. As a result, they are binging on pornography.” Rachman posted on his X account.

This level of internet access marks a significant change for North Korean troops who are used to strict digital controls at home.

Ministry of Defense weighs in

In response to reports of North Korean soldiers in Russia reportedly having access to unrestricted internet for the first time, Defense Department spokesman Lt. Col. Charlie Dietz told the military outlet Task & purpose: “As entertaining as that sounds, I cannot confirm any North Korean internet habits or virtual ‘extracurricular activities’ in Russia,” Dietz said.

He emphasized that the Pentagon’s focus remains on “the more serious aspects of North Korea’s possible involvement in Russia’s military operations.”

As for questions about internet access, he noted: “That is a question best addressed to Moscow.”

Dietz added: “Right now, our focus remains on supporting Ukraine and addressing the larger regional security challenges,” reflecting a commitment to broader U.S. strategic priorities in the region.

North Korean troops follow

That North Korean leader Kim Jong Un planned to send ground troops, including special operations units, to fight alongside the Russian military was the subject of a South Korean intelligence report in October.

Seoul’s top spy agency said it had discovered troop carriers from Russia’s Pacific Fleet gathering thousands of North Korean soldiers from three locations on the east coast of the Korean Peninsula before delivering them to nearby Vladivostok.

The military personnel were organized into brigades and prepared at three locations in the Russian Far East, according to intelligence reports, including satellite images of likely training camps in Ussuriysk, Khabarovsk and Blagoveshchensk, cities in Russia’s Primorsky, Khabarovsk and Amur regions.

Ukrainian military intelligence, backed by US assessments, believes more than 10,000 North Korean troops will eventually join the years-long war. Earlier this month, Kiev said a group of soldiers had been transported by rail directly to Russia’s West Kursk region, where Moscow’s forces have been repelling a surprise Ukrainian attack since August.

Will more North Korean troops be sent to Russia?

More of Kim’s military units are expected to reach the front lines of the invasion, although it was not clear whether Pyongyang would approve combat operations across the border within Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory. And experts in the field remain divided on its effectiveness, given the unknown geographic conditions.

Russia’s bicameral parliament recently ratified a mutual defense pact signed by Kim and President Vladimir Putin in June. The agreement is believed to provide legal justification for North Korea’s decision to enter the first major foreign war in its history.

However, the Russian and North Korean governments themselves have yet to confirm this move. Senior officials in Kim’s regime say the accusations, if true, would comply with international law — and be in defense of ally Putin.

The North Korean embassy in Beijing did not respond to multiple requests for comment on the matter.

This article contains reporting from The Associated Press