At least 50,000 North Korean troops headed to Russia, Zelensky says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reported the deployment of up to 50,000 North Korean troops in Russia, a figure he described on X/Twitter as a decision made in recent discussions. Zelensky did not provide details on how he obtained this information. In July, Zelensky had previously stated that Russia was seeking an additional 30,000 North Korean soldiers for its ongoing war against Ukraine. Since the beginning of 2024, North Korea has reportedly sent between 11,000 and 14,000 troops to support Moscow.

Recently, a Ukrainian military intelligence official disclosed to Reuters that a North Korean missile unit has begun its deployment in western Russia, potentially equipped with 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers. These strikes could be aimed at Ukraine. North Korea has already supplied Russia with substantial military aid, including millions of artillery and mortar rounds, ballistic missiles, long-range artillery, and multiple-launch rocket systems.

Zelensky also mentioned on Saturday that North Korean missiles have been discovered within Ukrainian territory. He asserted that North Korea will continue to enhance its modern warfare experience through its relationship with Russia, receiving licenses and military equipment from them. He further suggested that North Korea is studying the ongoing conflict in Ukraine with the aim of applying these lessons to potential threats in other regions, such as the Pacific, which could endanger Asian nations.

In response to the mounting threat, Zelensky called for increased cooperation between South Korea and Ukraine, and mentioned that Kyiv is prepared to enter into drone deal agreements with the latter country. Diplomatic communication between relevant parties in Ukraine and South Korea has reportedly been ongoing. Meanwhile, Ukraine has been facing significant challenges, particularly in its arsenal to defend against Russian ballistic missile attacks, with a shortage of interceptor missiles.

On Sunday, three people were killed and 37 wounded in Kharkiv, Ukraine, when a multi-story apartment block was struck by a missile. Russia's Belgorod reported five fatalities and 25 injuries following a Ukrainian drone attack. Russian authorities claimed that Russian forces had taken control of the villages of Vasyutinske and Toretske in Ukraine's Donetsk region on Sunday.