Zelensky Warns of North Korean Troop Support for Russia in Ukraine War

On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed intelligence suggesting that Russia plans to recruit over 10,000 North Korean soldiers to fight in its ongoing war against Ukraine.

At a press conference following a European Council meeting, President Zelensky stated that North Korean officers are already present in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine, working alongside Russian forces.

“There is intelligence that Russia is depending on this reinforcement because it doesn’t have time to mobilize its own citizens. It has a lot of losses on the battlefield, and public sentiment in Russia is against further mobilization,” he said. “That’s why (President Vladimir) Putin is seeking external support.” 

The Ukrainian president also noted that North Korea is training a contingent of troops to fight in Ukraine.

“This is a significant step because it shows that a second country is now actively joining the war on Russia’s side,” Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized.  

The Ukrainian president described the situation as “urgent” and a critical development in the ongoing conflict.

This announcement comes as President Zelensky continues his diplomatic efforts across Western capitals, seeking further support for his “victory plan,” which includes future NATO membership for Ukraine. Earlier this month, the leader of Ukraine visited Washington, Paris, Berlin, Rome, and London to rally support.

President Zelensky’s warning follows months of speculation about North Korea’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict. Experts have suggested that North Korean missiles are being used by Russian forces, although both Moscow and Pyongyang have consistently denied these claims.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea in June further raised suspicions. During this trip, the two countries signed a mutual defense pact, the strongest agreement between them since the Cold War. The pact, which includes a clause similar to NATO’s Article V, obligates mutual assistance in the event of aggression against either nation.

This agreement has raised concerns in the West, as it reflects the deepening alliance between Russia and North Korea at a time when Russia is facing increased isolation due to its invasion of Ukraine. Relations between the two nations have grown notably stronger in recent years, particularly as Moscow faces mounting sanctions and condemnation from Western countries.

In response to these developments, Ukraine has urged its allies to impose new sanctions on North Korea. Kyiv argues that North Korea’s increasing support for Russia effectively makes it a participant in the war. President Zelensky told Ukraine’s parliament that North Korea is not only supplying weapons but also providing manpower to replace Russian soldiers lost in the conflict.

“These are workers for Russian factories and soldiers for their army,” he said. “North Korea’s involvement represents the participation of another country in the war against Ukraine.” 

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and currently occupies nearly a fifth of Ukrainian territory. Kyiv remains determined to reclaim all occupied areas, insisting that peace can only be achieved if Russia withdraws its forces and Ukraine’s territorial integrity is restored.