What North Korea is really building with new bridges to Russia and China

In a recent speech, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine warned that Russia is expanding its troop mobilization efforts. Zelensky noted that Russia has already initiated additional mobilization, recruiting more individuals through various methods. He stated that Russia aims to involve foreigners in its armed forces and mentioned that North Korea is preparing to deploy an additional 10,000 troops against Ukraine, alongside the existing 8,000 military personnel stationed in Russia.

In exchange for these troops, Zelensky claimed Russia is providing technological aid to North Korea, including the production of Shahed attack drones. Zelensky emphasized that this growing threat can only be addressed collectively. Earlier, Ukrainian President Zelensky had offended South Korea's leadership by disclosing information about captured North Korean soldiers during his remarks at the 81st U.N.

General Debate. Meanwhile, Russian state media reported that President Vladimir Putin authorized an increase in Russia's armed forces to 2,441,630 personnel, including 1,550,500 active-duty personnel, marking a 15,500-person increase. Experts predicted this move following Putin's victory in the Sept. 21 parliamentary elections, which observers deemed rigged.

Ukrainian intelligence reported that Russia's General Staff plans to mobilize approximately 300,000 personnel each year in 2026 and 2027, on top of roughly 400,000 recruits annually to maintain its forces. Zelensky appealed for additional sanctions against Russia and support from allies to counter Moscow's escalating troop deployment, as Ukraine continues to face relentless Russian drone and missile attacks.