Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that Russia is preparing to recruit nearly 30,000 North Korean troops to join the war in Ukraine.
Kabul 24: In his recent address, Zelensky stated that Russia intends to bring an additional 30,000 North Korean soldiers into the conflict. According to him, preparations for accepting these forces have already begun in Russia’s Voronezh region since June.
Zelensky further highlighted the deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. He said North Korea is not only sending troops but is also preparing to supply Russia with new ballistic missile launchers.“Russia wants to deploy another 30,000 North Korean troops,” Zelensky said.
“We are witnessing active military collaboration between the two countries.”Referring to previous deployments, the Ukrainian leader noted that North Korea had already sent around 14,000 soldiers to support Russian forces in the Kursk region in 2024.
He added that Russia has previously used North Korean troops on the battlefield.Zelensky warned that this partnership poses risks beyond Ukraine.
“This is not just a threat to Ukraine,” he said. “Russia is helping North Korea master modern warfare tactics, develop its weapons, and gain real combat experience. This creates a serious threat to all Asian countries within the range of North Korean missiles.”Relations between Russia and North Korea have significantly strengthened since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine.
In June 2024, the two countries signed a mutual defense pact, under which Pyongyang has increased its military support for Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly praised North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces, describing them as “heroes.”So far, Russian officials have not commented on Zelensky’s latest claim regarding the recruitment of 30,000 additional troops. However, multiple reports indicate that military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang continue to expand.
This development comes as the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year, with both sides facing significant challenges in manpower and equipment.
