Zelensky says Russia readying more N. Korean troops, missiles

Zelensky told Ukrainian citizens on Monday that Russia is set to station additional North Korean troops on its soil and has received more ballistic missiles from Pyongyang. The Ukrainian president has previously emphasized the deepening military ties between the two nations, often while urging the West for more air-defense assistance.

Speaking during his nightly address, Zelensky claimed that Russia could no longer wage war without North Korean support. He added that an extra contingent of North Korean soldiers is now being prepared for deployment. However, Zelensky did not provide any evidence or timeline to back up these claims. He called on Japan and South Korea to provide air-defense aid, stating it was necessary to counter the growing strength of Pyongyang's forces, which are gaining experience through their assistance to Moscow.

At the end of last month, Zelensky reported that Russian forces had deployed 30,000 to 50,000 North Korean troops on Russian territory. The source of these figures was not disclosed. North Korea has become one of Russia's closest military allies since the two countries signed a mutual defense pact in June 2024. Russia later utilized North Korean troops in a counteroffensive that forced Ukrainian forces to retreat from the Kursk region along the country's border.