Zelensky Says North Korea Preparing to Send 10,000 More Troops to Aid Russia
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed on Monday, September 28, that more than 8,000 North Korean troops are currently stationed on Russian territory, and that North Korea is preparing to send an additional 10,000 personnel. Zelensky posted the message on the X platform, citing a new batch of information on North Korea's deployment of troops to Russia, saying these soldiers are in the selection process for training and are being prepared for deployment to Russia. Earlier, in August, the Ukrainian leader had said that as many as 50,000 North Korean troops might be sent to help Russia fight, and called on South Korea to provide air defense systems to Ukraine. South Korean authorities announced a 100 million dollar aid package for Ukraine in July, although the assistance did not include lethal weapons. Zelensky's statement came amid a diplomatic dispute between the South Korean government and Ukraine, stemming from the Ukrainian leader's announcement last week that Ukraine had handed over two captured North Korean soldiers held as prisoners of war to South Korea. South Korea expressed disappointment, saying the two sides had agreed to keep the handover confidential, and protested a statement from the Ukrainian presidential office denying that there was any confidentiality agreement between them, calling that untrue. Assessments by Ukraine and South Korea estimate that North Korea has sent roughly 14,000 to 15,000 troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine since 2024, with most of the personnel deployed in the Kursk region to help Russia block Ukraine's cross-border advance. In addition, assessments by Ukraine and independent organizations agree that the North Korean government has shipped millions of artillery and mortar shells to Russia, as well as missiles, long-range artillery systems, and MLRS multiple rocket launch systems.