Russia to host more North Korean soldiers and missiles, according to Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Monday that Russia is preparing to deploy additional North Korean soldiers and has received new ballistic missiles from Pyongyang. Zelensky has repeatedly warned about the strengthening military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, urging Western nations to provide more air defense equipment. "This is the first time they (Russian military) cannot wage war without reinforcements from North Korea," Zelensky stated in his daily address. He added that Russians "are now preparing to deploy an additional contingent of North Koreans on their territory. They have received - imagine this - additional ballistic missiles from North Korea." The Ukrainian president did not present evidence or a precise timeline to support these claims. However, he urged Japan and South Korea to provide his country with air defense assistance, deeming it necessary to contain Pyongyang's growing power, which is bolstered by its experience supporting Moscow. Over the weekend, Zelensky asserted that a decision had been made regarding the deployment of 30,000 to 50,000 North Koreans on Russian soil, though he did not specify the source of these figures. North Korea has become one of Russia's closest military partners since Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed a mutual defense pact in June 2024. Moscow reportedly utilized North Korean troops during a counteroffensive later that year, which helped push Ukrainian forces out of the Kursk border region.

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This is the first time they (Russian military) cannot wage war without reinforcements from North Korea.