Zelenskyy: North Korea to send up to 50,000 troops to Russia; asks South Korea for air defense aid

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asserted that North Korea has resolved to dispatch up to 50,000 troops to Russia, escalating concerns over international military cooperation between the two nations. This claim significantly increases previous estimates of North Korean military involvement.

Zelenskyy stated on his X account that while initially hundreds or thousands of North Koreans appeared in Russian territory, the decision has now been made to deploy between 30,000 and 50,000 individuals. He did not specify the exact source of this intelligence but emphasized that North Korea is clearly accumulating modern warfare experience and receiving military equipment from Russia.

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North Koreans sometimes appear on the territory of the Russian Federation. At first, it was hundreds, then thousands, but now [North Korea] has decided to deploy 30,000 to 50,000 North Koreans to Russian territory.

In parallel with these claims, President Zelenskyy appealed to South Korea for crucial military assistance. "We hope that South Korea will provide Ukraine with the air defense systems it lacks," he said, adding that Ukraine is also prepared to cooperate in the drone sector. This request highlights Ukraine's ongoing need for advanced defensive capabilities to counter Russian aggression.

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It is clear that North Korea is continuing to gain modern warfare experience, receiving permission from Russia, and continuing to receive various military equipment.

This latest assertion follows previous claims made by Zelenskyy in late July, where he alleged that Russia was preparing to receive 30,000 additional North Korean soldiers and was acquiring North Korean ballistic missile launchers. The current estimate of up to 50,000 troops represents a substantial increase, underscoring Ukraine's concerns about deepening military ties between Pyongyang and Moscow.

Zelenskyy has frequently voiced concerns about the escalating international crisis, recently suggesting that Russia might be preparing for a new mobilization phase. He also claimed that Iran is sending missiles to Russia and that China is beginning to cooperate with Russia on satellite and technology-related matters. These statements paint a picture of a complex geopolitical landscape with potential for further escalation.

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We hope that South Korea will provide Ukraine with the air defense systems it lacks. [Ukraine] is also ready to cooperate in the drone field.