North Korea is preparing to send up to 50,000 additional troops to Russia to support Moscow in its war against Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed.
In a post on social media platform X on Sunday, Zelenskyy said a final decision had been made by Russia and North Korea to deploy between 30,000 and 50,000 North Korean personnel to various regions of Russia. Recent reports have similarly described the proposed deployment as ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 troops.
Zelenskyy did not disclose the source of his information. However, he said Ukraine had recently recovered debris from North Korean-made missiles on its territory.
“It is now completely clear that Russia, having received licences and the necessary components, has been producing missiles and other weapons inside Russia,” Zelenskyy said, according to his statement.
Growing military cooperation
North Korea has significantly expanded its military cooperation with Russia since the two countries strengthened their strategic partnership.
In June 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang and signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Under the agreement, the two countries pledged to assist each other if either is attacked by an outside power.
North Korea subsequently sent thousands of military personnel to support Russia. Kyiv and Western officials have previously reported North Korean troops operating alongside Russian forces.
Ukraine has also accused Pyongyang of supplying Russia with ballistic missiles and other military equipment.
Earlier this month, a Ukrainian military intelligence official told Reuters that North Korea had deployed a missile unit to western Russia alongside regular troops. The unit was reportedly equipped with personnel and could potentially involve up to 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers.
Zelenskyy seeks South Korean support
As North Korea deepens its military cooperation with Moscow, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was preparing to strengthen cooperation with South Korea, Pyongyang’s main regional rival.
He said Kyiv expected support from Seoul in an area where Ukraine faces shortages—air defence systems.
Zelenskyy also said Ukraine was ready to cooperate with South Korea on drone production and other areas of defence.
The Ukrainian president’s appeal comes as Kyiv continues to seek additional air defence capabilities to protect its cities and infrastructure from Russian missile and drone attacks.
The reported North Korean troop deployment could further deepen the military partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang and add another international dimension to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
However, the latest claim of a new deployment of up to 50,000 North Korean troops has not been independently confirmed.
