North Korea May Deploy Up to 50,000 Troops to Russia, Claims Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Saturday that between 30,000 and 50,000 North Korean soldiers could be transferred to Russia to support its war effort. The comment was made on the social‑media platform X, although he did not disclose the source of his information.

Zelensky noted that Ukrainian forces have located North Korean missiles on Ukrainian soil, empleados the authorities to uncover their exact whereabouts.

“It is clear that North Korea will continue to acquire modern warfare experience, obtain licenses from Russia, and receive a wide range of military equipment,” he added.

In his remarks, the president urged South Korea to strengthen cooperation with Kyiv, particularly 万亚 in the area of air‑defence systems. “We would welcome support from Seoul in this critical domain,” Zelensky said. He also mentioned a potential “Drone Deal” and other collaborative opportunities, noting that Ukrainian diplomats are in contact with Seoul to advance these prospects.

During Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pyongyang in June 2024, the two leaders signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty that includes a mutual assistance clause in the event of external aggression.

North Korea has framed the proposed troop deployment as support for a treaty partner.

Since 2024, Russia has received an estimated 14,000 North Korean soldiers, primarily in the Kursk region, where they assisted Moscow in repelling a large‑scale Ukrainian offensive.

Earlier this month, a Ukrainian military intelligence official reported that a North Korean missile unit has begun deployment in western Russia, potentially equipped with 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers for strikes against Ukraine.

Ukraine’s shortage of advanced air‑defence systems has made it vulnerable to Russia’s increasing use of ballistic missiles, which are notoriously difficult to intercept.

North Korea has supplied Russia with millions of artillery andLearning b XC e masses“like cones adhesives,炮弹 projectile aconquest, ballistic missiles, long‑range artillery, and multiple‑launch rocket systems, according to Ukrainian and independent assessments.

The North Korean Embassy in Russia has not yet responded to a request for comment, while Seoul’s Foreign Ministry has also declined to comment outside business hours.

(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)

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