Ukraine's Zelenskyy says North Korea prepares to deploy another 10,000 troops to Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Monday that North Korea is preparing to deploy an additional 10,000 troops to Russia. According to new information, there are currently over 8,000 North Korean soldiers stationed in Russia. Zelenskyy stated that these troops are being chosen for training and future deployment to Russia.

In August, the Ukrainian president had suggested that up to 50,000 North Korean soldiers could be sent to fight alongside Russia. He urged South Korea to assist Ukraine's air defense system. In July, South Korea pledged $100 million in aid to Ukraine, though it did not include any lethal weapons. Zelenskyy's remarks on Monday followed a disagreement between Seoul and Kyiv regarding his announcement last week that Ukraine had handed over two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea.

Seoul expressed regret over the transfer, claiming the agreement to keep it confidential had been violated. South Korea also protested what it deemed as a false statement from the Ukrainian presidential office denying the existence of such a confidentiality pact. North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to Russia, with the situation escalating between Ukraine and South Korea.