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30,000 North Korean soldiers to fight in Ukraine, claims Zelensky
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Conflict & Security

30,000 North Korean soldiers to fight in Ukraine, claims Zelensky

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claims Russia intends to deploy 30,000 North Korean soldiers to fight in Ukraine.
  • Zelensky stated that Russia is preparing mobilization programs and has made arrangements in border regions to receive North Korean troops.
  • He also alleged that North Korea is preparing to transfer new ballistic missile launchers to Russia, posing a threat to Ukraine and other nations in the region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of planning to bring 30,000 North Korean soldiers to participate in the ongoing war in Ukraine. Zelensky made this claim in his evening video address on Saturday, highlighting what he described as deepening cooperation between Russia and North Korea.

We are also seeing Russia's cooperation with North Korea. Russia wants to get an additional 30,000 soldiers from North Korea.

— Volodymyr ZelenskyAccusing Russia of planning to deploy North Korean troops.

"We are also seeing Russia's cooperation with North Korea. Russia wants to get an additional 30,000 soldiers from North Korea," Zelensky stated. He further alleged that Moscow is actively preparing to expand its mobilization programs and has been making arrangements in the Voronezh region, near the border, to receive North Korean troops since last month.

Moscow has been making preparations in the Voronezh border region to receive North Korean soldiers since last month.

— Volodymyr ZelenskyDetailing alleged logistical preparations for North Korean troops.

Beyond troop deployment, Zelensky also claimed that Pyongyang is preparing to transfer new ballistic missile launchers to Russia. He warned that such actions pose a significant threat not only to Ukraine but also to all parties in Asia within the range of North Korean missiles. "This is not only a threat to Ukraine. Russia is helping North Korea learn warfare. Russia is increasing their weapons capabilities, providing experience in the use of real weapons," he added.

Pyongyang is preparing to transfer new ballistic missile launchers to Russia.

— Volodymyr ZelenskyAlleging the transfer of advanced weaponry from North Korea to Russia.

Russia and North Korea have strengthened their political and military ties since signing a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement in June 2024. Moscow confirmed in April 2025 that North Korean soldiers had participated in Russian efforts to recapture territory in the Kursk region. Russian and North Korean authorities have not yet commented on Zelensky's latest allegations.

This is not only a threat to Ukraine. Russia is helping North Korea learn warfare. Russia is increasing their weapons capabilities, providing experience in the use of real weapons.

— Volodymyr ZelenskyWarning about the broader implications of Russia-North Korea military cooperation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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