Russia Plans to Deploy Up to 50,000 North Korean Troops

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that Russia intends to deploy between 30,000 and 50,000 North Korean troops on its territory. This figure represents a dramatic escalation from earlier estimates, which spoke of hundreds and then thousands of soldiers from North Korea.

"We must understand that Koreans appear on the territory of the RF from time to time; we see it, we know it. If at first it was about hundreds, then thousands, now a decision has been made that between 30 and 50 thousand North Koreans will be on Russian territory," Zelensky said in an interview with the Ukrainian telethon, as reported by Ukrainska Pravda.

Pyongyang Learning Modern Warfare

According to Zelensky, the key goal of this deployment is not just to provide support to Moscow, but also to gain invaluable combat experience for North Korea itself. "They are studying this war. And if we talk about crises and tensions in another direction, in the Pacific Ocean, which could pose a threat to other states in the Asian direction, then North Korea will gain experience of modern warfare from the RF," the Ukrainian president warned.

He added that it is clear Pyongyang will continue to build its military capabilities with Russia's help. "North Korea will increase its experience in modern warfare, receive licenses from Russia, and obtain all military instruments from them. We clearly understand this," Zelensky was quoted as saying by the RVvoenkor channel.

Missiles and Missile Unit Already on the Ground

Zelensky reminded that North Korean missiles have already been found on Ukrainian territory. On July 30 alone, Russia used a North Korean missile to attack a village near Kryvyi Rih, killing six members of one family. Presidential Commissioner for Sanctions Policy Vladyslav Vlasiuk later confirmed that a crater from another North Korean ballistic missile KN-23 was discovered, indicating that the Russians have launched at least two such missiles at Ukraine.

According to Reuters, the deployment of a North Korean missile unit has begun in Russia's Voronezh Oblast. This unit could have six launchers and up to 120 ballistic missiles, of which Russia has already received 40. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has already stated that such a missile unit, if used for attacks on Ukraine, would immediately become a legitimate military target for Ukrainian forces.

Appeal to South Korea

In light of the deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, Zelensky issued a clear call to South Korea for closer partnership with Kyiv. "We are open. We would very much like to receive support from South Korea in the form of the deficit we have, that is air defense systems. And we are ready to work in the direction of the Drone Deal, etc.," he said.

The Ukrainian president acknowledged that there are legal obstacles. "In South Korea, there is a legal restriction under the Constitution; it is their choice. But we would like cooperation and we count on it; our diplomats are communicating," he added.

Putin Seeking Victory

In the same interview, Zelensky analyzed the strategy of Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he still cannot find victory in the war. He claimed that Putin is thinking about a new mobilization, trying to deceive his own people with secret agreements and closing borders. "He needs to sell victory. He will not have victory in Ukraine. He needs to take Donbas. We will not withdraw ourselves," Zelensky said.

He also commented on the successful operations of Ukrainian forces, revealing that the Russians have concentrated three rings of air defense around Moscow, pulling systems from all sides of the vast territory. After Russian attacks on Ukrainian logistics, Kyiv responded with its own operation that, according to Zelensky, inflicted losses of a trillion rubles on Russia.