Zelensky: North Korea Prepares to Deploy 10,000 More Troops to Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that North Korea is preparing to deploy another 10,000 troops to Russia, deepening military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that North Korea is preparing to deploy an additional 10,000 troops to Russia. In a statement posted on social media platform X, Zelensky noted that more than 8,000 North Korean fighters are already stationed on the Russian front.
The Ukrainian president's remarks reveal the deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. The current move follows the deployment of approximately 15,000 North Korean troops who crossed the border into Russia between late 2024 and June 2025. Both nations initially denied the military involvement, but finally acknowledged it in April of last year.
The presence of North Korean forces is accompanied by strict combat instructions. Last April, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un confirmed that soldiers sent to assist the Russians were ordered to commit suicide rather than fall into Ukrainian captivity. During a memorial center inauguration ceremony in Pyongyang, Kim praised fighters who chose to detonate explosives on themselves, calling them heroes who uphold national dignity.
The compensation Pyongyang receives for sending its troops includes financial aid, food supplies, and technical support from Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently addressed a letter to Kim presenting the cooperation as a symbol of unity between the nations, while Ukrainian officials report that the suicide orders are strictly enforced on the ground.
