Zelensky: North Korea Prepares 10,000 More Troops for Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday that over 8,000 North Korean troops are currently in Russia, with preparations underway to deploy an additional 10,000 soldiers. Zelensky cited new data on the deployment, stating the troops are being selected for training and subsequent deployment to Russia. He previously estimated in August that up to 50,000 North Korean soldiers could be sent to fight for Russia and urged South Korea to provide air defence support for Ukraine. The comments follow tensions between Seoul and Kyiv over Zelensky's announcement that Ukraine transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea, which Seoul said violated a confidentiality agreement. Ukrainian and South Korean estimates indicate North Korea has sent 14,000 to 15,000 troops since 2024, mostly to the Kursk region, and has supplied Russia with artillery rounds, ballistic missiles, and rocket systems.