Ukraine Claims Russia Preparing to Deploy 50000 North Korean Soldiers
Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said up to 50000 North Korean soldiers will be deployed in Russia to fight for Pyongyang’s ally, while calling on South Korea to provide support for its air defence.
Zelensky said on X on Saturday that “a decision has been made for 30,000 to 50,000 North Koreans to be deployed on the territory of Russia”, a higher figure than his estimate of 30,000 in July. He did not elaborate on how he obtained the information.
He said Kyiv had found some North Korean missiles in Ukraine’s territory, without disclosing their locations.
“It is absolutely clear that North Korea will continue to build its experience in modern warfare, receive licenses from Russia, and receive all kinds of military tools from them,” he said.
Urging Seoul to have closer cooperation with Kyiv, Zelensky said that Ukraine “would very much like to receive support from South Korea in an area where we have a shortage”, referring to its air defence systems.
“We are ready to work on the Drone Deal and other areas as well,” he said, adding that Ukrainian diplomats “are in contact” with Seoul to push potential deals.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty during Putin’s June 2024 visit to Pyongyang. The pact includes a mutual assistance provision if either country faces external aggression.
North Korea has cast its deployment as assistance to a treaty partner.
North Korea has sent so far an estimated 14,000 soldiers to Russia’s Kursk Region in 2024, helping Moscow beat back a major incursion into the region by Ukrainian forces.
This month, an official at Ukraine’s military intelligence told Reuters that a North Korean missile unit has begun deploying to western Russia and could be equipped with 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers for strikes against Ukraine.
Ukraine is very short of high-end air defences, and Russia has tried to exploit this by using more ballistic missiles, which are particularly hard to shoot down.
North Korea has supplied Russia with millions of artillery and mortar rounds, ballistic missiles, long-range artillery and multiple-launch rocket systems, according to Ukrainian and independent assessments.
The North Korean Embassy in Russia did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters for a comment.
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry did not respond to a request from Reuters for a comment outside business hours.
About the Author
VoM News Desk -is an online web portal in jammu Kashmir offers regional, National & global news.
Latest Posts
- UK military signs landmark agreement with Tariq Halal Meats12 Nov 2026
- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Relocates to Military Base After Iranian Threats to His Life: Report11 Nov 2026
- Amul Milk Prices Hiked by Up to Rs 4 Per Litre Across India from November 1211 Nov 2026
- India Simplifies Visa Rules, Cuts Categories from 13 to Nine11 Nov 2026
- Iran Lists Argentina’s Navy and Air Force as Terrorist Organisations11 Nov 2026
- BREAKING: 11 Pakistani Policemen Killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ambush, DSP Among Dead11 Nov 2026
- Bigg Boss Leads India’s TV Streaming Rankings; 365 Days Tops Movie Rankings For November 2-811 Nov 2026
- Iran Urges US to Accept Demands for Reopening Strait of Hormuz, What Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi Said?11 Nov 2026
- US House Blocks Impeachment Push Against Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth11 Nov 2026
- Former PM Sheikh Hasina Will Face Execution if She Returns to Bangladesh, Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam Says11 Nov 2026
