North Korea Bolsters Russia’s Arsenal in Ukraine: New Accusations from Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has once again accused Russia of preparing to deploy additional North Korean troops on its territory.

Zelensky said Russia was preparing to deploy more North Korean forces, while also pointing to the supply of additional ballistic missiles from Pyongyang to Moscow.

The Ukrainian president has repeatedly warned of the deepening military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, while urging his allies to provide Ukraine with additional air defense systems.

Zelensky said: “This is the first time they cannot wage the war without support from North Korea,” referring to Russian forces.

He continued: “They are now preparing to deploy an additional force of North Koreans on their territory,” adding that the Russians had received “additional ballistic missiles from North Korea.”

Zelensky provided no evidence or timeframe to substantiate these allegations.

He nevertheless urged Japan and South Korea to provide air defense assistance, stressing the need to contain Pyongyang’s growing military capabilities, which are being strengthened by the experience it is gaining through its support for Moscow.

On Sunday, Zelensky said that “the decision has been made to deploy between 30,000 and 50,000 North Koreans on Russian territory.”

He did not explain how he arrived at these figures.

North Korea has deepened its relations with Russia since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022.

During Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea, the two countries concluded a defense agreement in 2024.

Moscow subsequently deployed North Korean troops in a counteroffensive later that year to drive Ukrainian forces out of Russia’s border region of Kursk.