Zelenskyy Claims Russia Plans to Deploy 30,000 More North Korean Troops in Ukraine War
Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed that Russia is preparing to deploy an additional 30,000 North Korean troops to support its military campaign in Ukraine. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
In his nightly video address on Saturday, Zelenskyy said Russia had been making preparations since June in the Voronezh region to receive the troops.
According to Zelenskyy, the move is part of the growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea under their mutual defence agreement.
He also claimed that North Korea is preparing to provide Russia with new launchers for ballistic missiles, further strengthening military ties between the two countries.
Zelenskyy warned that the partnership poses a wider security risk beyond Ukraine.
“Russia is helping North Korea learn modern warfare, improve its weapons, and gain real combat experience,” he said.
He added that the growing cooperation could threaten countries across Asia that are within the range of North Korean missiles.
Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine would respond to what he described as an increasing security threat.
Background
According to Ukraine, North Korea sent an estimated 14,000 troops to Russia’s Kursk region in 2024 under a mutual defence pact. Those forces were reportedly deployed to help Russian troops repel a major Ukrainian incursion into the region.
Russia and North Korea have not publicly confirmed Zelenskyy’s latest claim regarding the deployment of an additional 30,000 troops.
Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Claim Made By | Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy |
| Alleged New Deployment | 30,000 North Korean troops |
| Preparation Location | Voronezh region, Russia |
| Previous Deployment | Around 14,000 North Korean troops in Kursk (according to Ukraine) |
| Additional Claim | North Korea preparing ballistic missile launchers for Russia |
| Status | Claims have not been independently confirmed by Russia or North Korea |
