Zelensky: North Korea is Preparing to Deploy Another 10,000 Soldiers in Russia

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that there are more than 8,000 North Korean soldiers on Russian territory, and preparations are underway to deploy an additional 10,000 soldiers. Zelensky pointed to "new data" regarding the deployment of North Korean forces in Russia, stating in a post on X platform that the troops "are being selected for training and later deployment in Russia."

Zelensky had mentioned in August that up to 50,000 North Korean soldiers could be sent to fight alongside Russia, and he called on South Korea to provide air defense support to Ukraine. Seoul announced in July a $100 million aid package for Kyiv, but excluded lethal weapons from it. Zelensky's statements on Monday came after a dispute between Seoul and Kyiv over his announcement last week that Ukraine had transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea. Seoul expressed regret over this announcement, pointing to an agreement to keep the transfer process confidential.

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 have been deployed in the Kursk region to help repel a Ukrainian incursion. Ukrainian and independent assessments indicate that Pyongyang has supplied Russia with millions of artillery shells and mortar rounds, in addition to ballistic missiles, long-range artillery systems, and multiple rocket launch systems.