Zelensky: North Korea preparing to send 10,000 more troops to Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed that North Korea is preparing to send an additional 10,000 troops to Russia. Current estimates suggest over 8,000 North Korean soldiers are already in Russia, with preparations underway for the deployment of more soldiers. Zelensky noted that selection and training of these troops are in progress, with deployment scheduled for later in Russia.

He emphasized that new data confirms North Korean forces are being sent to Russia. In August, Zelensky had warned that up to 50,000 North Korean soldiers could join Russia's fight, urging South Korea to provide air defense support to Ukraine. Seoul had previously pledged a $100 million aid package to Kyiv in July, though it omitted lethal weapons.

Zelensky's statements follow a recent disagreement between Seoul and Kyiv over the transfer of two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea. Seoul expressed regret over the disclosure, citing a confidentiality agreement. According to Reuters, Kyiv and Seoul estimate that North Korea has sent between 14,000 and 15,000 soldiers to aid Russia's war effort in Ukraine since 2024, with the majority deployed in the Kursk region to counter Ukrainian advances.

North Korea has reportedly supplied Russia with millions of artillery shells, mortar rounds, ballistic missiles, long-range artillery systems, and multiple rocket launchers.