Ukrainian President V. Zelensky stated that a decision has already been made to deploy 30–50 thousand North Korean soldiers on Russian territory to assist Moscow in the war against Ukraine.
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This was reported by “Reuters” on Sunday.
Back in July, V. Zelensky spoke about approximately 30 thousand additional North Korean soldiers, so the latest number he mentioned is significantly higher. The Ukrainian president did not disclose the source of this information.
North Korea has previously been directly involved in Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine. It is estimated that about 14 thousand North Korean soldiers were sent to Russia’s Kursk region in 2024 to help Russian forces fight against the Ukrainian army’s incursion into this Russian region.
Military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang have significantly strengthened after the leaders of both regimes, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, signed a strategic partnership agreement in 2024, which provides for mutual assistance if either state faces external aggression.
It’s not just about soldiers
Recent data shows that cooperation may involve more than just manpower.
“Reuters” reported this week, citing a Ukrainian military intelligence official, that a North Korean missile unit has begun deployment in western Russia, in the Voronezh region.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, a unit of about 90 North Korean soldiers may have up to 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers, which could be used for strikes in Ukraine.
According to Kyiv, Russia has already received a new batch of 40 North Korean KN-23 and KN-24 missiles.
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Since the start of the war, North Korea has also supplied Russia with millions of artillery and mortar shells, ballistic missiles, long-range artillery, and multiple rocket launcher systems, according to Ukrainian and independent assessments.
V. Zelensky claims that remnants of North Korean-made missiles have already been found on Ukrainian territory.
In his assessment, the war in Ukraine gives Pyongyang the opportunity not only to gain real modern warfare experience but also to acquire Russian military technologies.
Ukraine has appealed to South Korea
In this context, V. Zelensky urged South Korea to cooperate more closely with Ukraine.
Kyiv especially lacks modern air defense systems capable of shooting down ballistic missiles. Russia has been using more of such missiles recently, and intercepting them is one of the weakest points of Ukraine’s air defense.
V. Zelensky said that Ukraine would like South Korea’s support specifically in the field of air defense. He also proposed cooperation with Seoul in drone technology and said that Ukrainian diplomats are already in contact with the South Korean side regarding possible agreements.
