USA09 August, 20262 min read
Zelenskiy Says North Korea Will Deploy 30,000 to 50,000 Troops in Russia
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Zelenskiy says North Korea will deploy up to 50,000 soldiers to Russia Decision made to deploy between 30,000 and 50,000 North Korean troops
Zelenskiy cites 50,000
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on X that “the decision has been taken to deploy between 30,000 and 50,000 North Koreans on Russian territory,” framing it as a step that would let North Korea gain experience in modern warfare while supporting Russia. Zelenskiy said Kyiv had found some North Korean missiles on Ukrainian soil, without revealing their locations, and he urged Seoul to strengthen cooperation with Kyiv in an area where Ukraine said it has deficiencies.
“The pact includes a mutual assistance clause in case either country faces external aggression.”
In the same statement, Zelenskiy said Ukraine “would very much like to receive support from South Korea in an area where we have shortages,” referring to air defense systems and adding that Ukrainian diplomats “are in contact” with Seoul to push for possible agreements. The reports also tied the deployment to the June 2024 visit to Pyongyang, when Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim signed a global strategic partnership treaty that includes a mutual assistance clause in case either country faces external aggression.
Seoul air defense push
Zelenskiy’s comments were echoed in coverage that said he fears Russia could intensify the war while also facing psychological pressure from a secret mobilization of hundreds of thousands of Russians, and he linked that concern to the possibility of North Korea sending 30,000 to 50,000 soldiers to Russia. In that interview framing, Zelensky said North Koreans are regularly spotted on Russian territory and that North Korean missiles are sometimes found on Ukrainian soil, arguing that the deployments would give Pyongyang “experience” in the conflict.
The Wall Street Journal and CNN were cited as having mentioned intelligence reports about scenarios ranging from Russian cyberattacks to brief incursions into NATO member countries in the coming years, with the operations described as a way for the Kremlin to test the transatlantic alliance. DIE WELT reported that Zelensky now expects “significantly greater North Korea aid for Russia” than his earlier assumption of 30,000, while also noting that his statements could not be independently verified and he left the source of his depiction open.
War spillover and risk
Beyond the troop figures, the same reporting described immediate battlefield impacts in Ukraine, including that in bombing attacks on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy local authorities reported at least five people injured. DIE WELT also said the Moscow Defense Ministry reported that air defenses intercepted and destroyed 285 Ukrainian drones within twelve hours, with incidents occurring mainly in central and western Russia and also in the Republic of Bashkortostan.
“Russian Defense Ministry said, in turn, that air defenses had intercepted and destroyed 285 Ukrainian drones within twelve hours.”
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated on Telegram that five drones approaching the capital were shot down, while the General Staff in Kyiv said late Sunday evening that Ukrainian troops had repelled 24 attacks on Kostjantyniwka, Illinivka and other places. Across the coverage, the strategic partnership treaty between Russia and North Korea was presented as the political mechanism behind the deployment, with North Korea framing its deployment as assistance to a treaty partner while receiving military technology, equipment, and experience in modern warfare for its armed forces.