BRUSSELS: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday that Russia is preparing to deploy 10,000 North Korean soldiers to bolster its military efforts against Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters in Brussels after meetings with EU leaders, Zelensky cited intelligence information confirming the troop deployment.
While Zelensky has previously accused North Korea of sending military personnel to assist Russian forces, this marks the first occasion he has provided a specific figure. He indicated that an unspecified number of North Korean soldiers are already present in “occupied Ukrainian territory.”
“We know about 10,000 soldiers of North Korea that they are preparing to send to fight against us,” Zelensky stated. The Ukrainian leader emphasized that these troops would include “land forces” and “other tactical personnel.”
Expressing grave concerns over this development, Zelensky warned that this could signify the beginning of a larger global conflict. He noted that Iran is also providing support to Russia in the form of drones and missiles, a claim that Tehran has consistently denied.
Zelensky pointed out that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “counting” on the North Korean troops due to his apprehension about mobilization within Russia.
As part of his efforts to secure support for his “victory plan” to end the ongoing war, Zelensky has been actively engaging with Western leaders, having recently toured capitals such as Washington, Paris, Berlin, Rome, and London.
The relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang has deepened since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with experts suggesting that North Korean missiles are being utilized by Russian forces in the conflict—claims both nations have denied.
Putin’s rare visit to Pyongyang in June, where he signed a mutual defense agreement with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, underscores the growing alliance between the two nations.
