Zelensky Says Russia Seeks 30,000 extra N.Korea Troops for Ukraine War

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia has requested an additional 30,000 troops and missile launchers from North Korea to bolster its forces in Ukraine. Zelensky announced on social media platform X that preparations for these troops are being made in Russia's Voronezh region, close to the Ukrainian border.

“

Russia wants to receive another 30,000 troops from North Korea. Since June, preparations have been underway in Russia's Voronezh region to receive them.

This alleged request follows previous instances of North Korean military support for Russia's invasion. In 2024, North Korea sent thousands of troops to assist Russia in the Kursk region and has supplied arms since 2022. South Korea estimates that around 2,000 North Korean troops have been killed in the conflict.

“

North Korea is also preparing to transfer additional launchers for ballistic missiles to Russia. This is a threat not only to Ukraine. Russia is helping North Korea learn how to wage war, improve its weapons, and gain real combat experience in using them.

Zelensky further elaborated that North Korea is also preparing to transfer additional ballistic missile launchers to Russia. He warned that this collaboration poses a threat not only to Ukraine but also to other nations in Asia within range of North Korean missiles. He accused Russia of using the conflict to help North Korea improve its weapons and gain combat experience.

“

All of this is a threat to everyone in Asia who is within range of North Korean missiles.

The deepening military ties between Russia and North Korea were underscored by a military assistance treaty signed in 2024. North Korea's foreign minister, Choe Son Hui, reaffirmed Pyongyang's support for Russia's war during a recent visit to Moscow. The North's state news agency KCNA reported that Pyongyang expressed unwavering support for Russia's policies aimed at resolving the Ukraine dispute and defending its sovereignty. Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously expressed gratitude for North Korea's support.

“

expressed invariable support for all the internal and external policies of the Russian Federation to eliminate the root cause of the Ukrainian dispute and defend its national sovereignty, territorial integrity and international justice