Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that more than 8,000 North Korean troops are on Russian territory and preparations are under way to deploy another 10,000 soldiers to support Russia’s war in Ukraine. Citing “new data,” Zelensky said the additional troops were being selected for training and deployment.
The Ukrainian president said in August that as many as 50,000 North Korean soldiers could be sent to fight for Russia. He also urged South Korea to provide greater support for Ukraine’s air defence. Seoul announced a $100 million aid package for Ukraine in July, but it did not include lethal weapons.
Ukrainian and South Korean estimates put the total number of North Korean troops sent to Russia since 2024 at 14,000 to 15,000. Most were deployed in Russia’s Kursk region, where they have been used to counter a Ukrainian offensive.
Zelensky’s comments came after a dispute between Kyiv and Seoul over the transfer of two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea. Zelensky announced the transfer last week, prompting Seoul to say that it had violated an agreement to keep the matter confidential. South Korea also protested against what it described as a false statement by the Ukrainian presidential office denying that such an agreement existed.
Beyond troops, North Korea has supplied Russia with millions of artillery and mortar rounds, along with ballistic missiles, long-range artillery systems and multiple-launch rocket systems, according to Ukrainian and independent assessments.
Original Source: https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/north-korea-prepares-to-deploy-another-10-000-troops-to-russia-volodymyr-zelensky-12112046#publisher=newsstand
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Publish Date: 2026-09-29 05:47:00
