Zelenskyy: North Korea Preparing to Deploy 10,000 Additional Troops in Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said yesterday, Monday, that there are more than 8,000 North Korean soldiers on Russian territory, and that preparations are underway to deploy an additional 10,000 troops.

Zelenskyy referred to "new data" regarding the deployment of forces from North Korea in Russia, stating in a post on the X platform that the troops "are being selected for training and subsequent deployment in Russia."

In August, Zelenskyy mentioned that up to 50,000 North Korean soldiers could be sent to fight alongside Russia, and called on South Korea to provide air defense support to Ukraine.

Seoul announced a $100 million aid package for Kyiv in July, but excluded lethal weapons from it.

Zelenskyy's statements yesterday, Monday, came after a dispute between Seoul and Kyiv due to his announcement last week that Ukraine had transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea.

Seoul expressed regret over this announcement, noting an agreement to maintain the confidentiality of the transfer process.

According to estimates from Kyiv and Seoul, North Korea has sent between 14,000 and 15,000 soldiers to support Russia's war in Ukraine since 2024, most of whom were deployed in the Kursk region to help repel a Ukrainian incursion.