KYIV (Reuters) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has claimed that Russia is preparing to deploy an additional 30,000 North Korean troops to support its military campaign in Ukraine.
In his nightly video address on Saturday, Zelenskiy said Moscow was making preparations in Russia's Voronezh region to receive the troops, with arrangements reportedly underway since June.
According to Zelenskiy, North Korea is also preparing to supply Russia with additional launchers for ballistic missiles as military cooperation between the two countries continues to expand.
He warned that the growing partnership poses a threat beyond Ukraine, arguing that Russia is helping North Korea gain combat experience, improve its weapons systems and enhance its military capabilities.
"This is a threat not only to Ukraine," Zelenskiy said, adding that countries across Asia within range of North Korean missiles could also face increased security risks.
North Korea previously sent an estimated 14,000 troops to Russia's Kursk region in 2024 under a mutual defence pact to help Russian forces repel a Ukrainian cross-border offensive.
Reuters could not independently verify Zelenskiy's latest claims regarding the deployment of additional North Korean troops.