Ukraine’s Zelensky says North Korea prepares to deploy another 10,000 troops to Russia

• Ukrainian President Zelensky stated that over 8,000 North Korean troops are in Russia, with plans to deploy an additional 10,000 soldiers.
• North Korea has sent 14,000 to 15,000 troops and supplied Russia with artillery and missile systems to support its war effort in Ukraine.
• Tensions arose after Ukraine transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea, leading to disputes over confidentiality agreements between Seoul and Kyiv.

SEOUL – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sept 28 there are more than 8,000 North Korean troops on Russian territory and preparations are underway to deploy another 10,000 troops.

Citing “new data” on the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia, Zelensky said in a post on X they were “being selected for training and subsequent deployment to Russia”.

The Ukrainian president said in August that up to 50,000 North Korean soldiers could be sent to fight for Russia, and called on South Korea to provide support for Ukraine’s air defence.

South Korea announced in July a US$100 million (S$128 million) aid package for Ukraine, although it excluded lethal weapons.

Zelensky’s comments on Sept 28 came after Seoul and Kyiv were at odds over his announcement last week that Ukraine had transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea.

Seoul expressed regret over his announcement, citing an agreement to keep the transfer confidential. South Korea also protested against what it called a false statement from the Ukrainian presidential office denying that such a confidentiality agreement existed.

North Korea has sent an estimated 14,000 to 15,000 troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine since 2024, according to Ukrainian and South Korean estimates, with most deployed in the Kursk region to help repel a Ukrainian incursion.

Pyongyang has also supplied Russia with millions of artillery and mortar rounds, as well as ballistic missiles, long-range artillery systems and multiple-launch rocket systems, according to Ukrainian and independent assessments. REUTERS