Zelensky: Russia preparing to deploy more North Korean troops and missiles

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that Russia is preparing to deploy additional North Korean troops on its territory, also pointing to Pyongyang’s supply of more ballistic missiles to Moscow.

Zelenskyy has repeatedly warned about the deepening military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, while urging his allies to provide him with more air defense systems.

In his nightly address, he added, “This is the first time they cannot wage war without support from North Korea,” referring to Russian forces.

He continued, “They are now preparing to deploy additional Korean forces on their territory,” adding that the Russians had received “additional ballistic missiles from North Korea.”

However, he called on Japan and South Korea to provide defensive aid, stressing the need to curb the growing power of Pyongyang, which is gaining experience from the support it provides to Moscow.

North Korea has deepened its ties with Russia since the latter’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

During a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to North Korea, the two countries signed a defense agreement in 2024.

Moscow later used North Korean troops in a counteroffensive that same year to drive Ukrainian forces out of the Russian border region of Kursk.