Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has announced that Russia is preparing to deploy 30,000 North Korean troops to support its military operations in Ukraine. In his nightly video address on Saturday, Zelenskiy stated that Moscow is already making arrangements to receive these additional forces in Russia’s Voronezh region, with preparations reportedly underway since June.
He further revealed that Pyongyang is also set to supply Russia with new ballistic missile launchers, enhancing Moscow’s arsenal. Earlier in 2024, North Korea is believed to have sent approximately 14,000 troops to Russia’s Kursk region under a mutual defense agreement, aiding Russian efforts to repel a significant Ukrainian military offensive.
In a significant development, Zelenskiy highlighted that the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea extends beyond troop deployments. Moscow is assisting Pyongyang in advancing its weapons technology and gaining combat experience, which poses a broader security threat. This growing partnership endangers not only Ukraine but also Asian countries within the range of North Korean missiles.
The Ukrainian president pledged that Kyiv will take necessary measures to counter this escalating security challenge, emphasizing the seriousness of the expanding alliance between Russia and North Korea.
