Russian President Vladimir Putin played coy about whether troops from North Korea were in Russia during a Q&A session after the conclusion of the BRICS summit on Thursday. 

During the closing session of the summit, Putin was asked about the recent reports and satellite photographs of North Korean troops on ships in Vladivostok, Russia. Intelligence reports within the United States claimed that approximately 3,000 North Korean troops were sent to Russia and have begun military drills and training. When asked if the reports were accurate, Putin refused to confirm or deny them, the Associated Press reported.