Zelenskiy Says 50,000 N. Korean Troops to Russia

PHOTO CAPTION: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks at a press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (not pictured) during his visit to Belgrade, Serbia, August 8, 2026. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

Aug. 9 — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said up to 50,000 North Korean soldiers are expected to be deployed in Russia to fight for Moscow, while urging South Korea to provide Ukraine with additional air-defense support.

“A decision has been made for 30,000 to 50,000 North Koreans to be deployed on the territory of Russia,” Zelenskiy wrote on X on Saturday. The figure was higher than his July estimate of 30,000, though he did not explain how Ukraine obtained the information.

Zelenskiy also said Kyiv had found North Korean missiles on Ukrainian territory but did not disclose where they were discovered. “It is absolutely clear that North Korea will continue to build its experience in modern warfare, receive licenses from Russia, and receive all kinds of military tools from them,” he said.

Zelenskiy seeks South Korean support

Zelenskiy urged Seoul to deepen cooperation with Kyiv, particularly on air defense, an area where Ukraine faces shortages. “We would very much like to receive support from South Korea in an area where we have a shortage,” he said.

“We are ready to work on the Drone Deal and other areas as well,” Zelenskiy added, saying Ukrainian diplomats “are in contact” with Seoul about potential agreements.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty during Putin’s June 2024 visit to Pyongyang. The pact includes a mutual assistance provision if either country faces external aggression, and North Korea has described its troop deployment as assistance to a treaty partner.

North Korea has so far sent an estimated 14,000 soldiers to Russia’s Kursk region in 2024, helping Moscow push back a major Ukrainian incursion. This month, an official with Ukraine’s military intelligence told Reuters that a North Korean missile unit had begun deploying to western Russia and could be equipped with 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers for strikes against Ukraine.

Ukraine faces air-defense shortages

Ukraine is short of high-end air-defense systems, and Russia has sought to exploit those shortages by increasing its use of ballistic missiles, which are especially difficult to intercept.

North Korea has supplied Russia with millions of artillery and mortar rounds, ballistic missiles, long-range artillery and multiple-launch rocket systems, according to Ukrainian and independent assessments.

The North Korean Embassy in Russia did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. South Korea’s Foreign Ministry also did not respond to a request for comment outside business hours.

(Source: Reuters)