Zelensky Warns Up to 50,000 North Korean Troops Could Be Deployed in Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that between 30,000 and 50,000 North Korean troops could be deployed in Russia to support Moscow in its ongoing war against Ukraine, raising fresh concerns over the expanding military partnership between Russia and North Korea.

Zelensky's latest estimate is significantly higher than his earlier assessment of around 30,000 North Korean troops. He did not disclose how Ukrainian authorities arrived at the new figure, and the claim has not been independently confirmed by Russia or North Korea.

The Ukrainian president said North Korea's growing involvement in the conflict is allowing its military personnel to gain valuable experience in modern warfare. In return, he suggested that Pyongyang could receive military technology and equipment from Russia, potentially strengthening North Korea's military capabilities beyond the battlefield cooperation currently being reported.

Ukraine has also reportedly identified North Korean-made missiles on its territory. Zelensky referred to the discovery but did not disclose where the missiles were found or provide further details about their use.

North Korea has already been accused of providing significant military support to Russia. According to Ukrainian assessments cited in reports, between 11,000 and 14,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to Russia's Kursk region since 2024. Their reported involvement has raised concerns that Pyongyang could play an increasingly direct role in Russia's military operations.

The possibility of tens of thousands of additional North Korean personnel being deployed would represent a major expansion of that cooperation. Such a move could provide Russia with additional manpower while giving North Korean forces further opportunities to gain battlefield experience against Ukrainian and Western-supplied military systems.

Zelensky has also appealed to South Korea for assistance, particularly with air-defence systems and other military equipment that could help Ukraine respond to missile threats. Kyiv has repeatedly emphasised the importance of strengthening its air-defence network as Russia continues to rely heavily on missile and drone attacks.

The Ukrainian president warned that the consequences of North Korea's military cooperation with Russia could extend beyond the war in Europe. He argued that battlefield experience gained by North Korean forces could eventually pose a broader security challenge to South Korea and other countries in Asia.

The growing relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang has attracted increasing international attention. Russia and North Korea have strengthened their defence ties in recent years, with both countries facing extensive Western sanctions and seeking closer strategic cooperation.

For North Korea, participation in the conflict could provide access to advanced military knowledge, equipment, and operational experience. For Russia, North Korean personnel and weapons could provide additional resources at a time when Moscow continues to sustain large-scale military operations in Ukraine.

However, the reported figure of 30,000 to 50,000 troops remains an assessment from the Ukrainian side, rather than a confirmed deployment figure. Neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has publicly acknowledged plans to deploy such a large force.

If the estimate proves accurate, the deployment would mark a significant escalation in North Korea's involvement in the war and could further internationalise the conflict. It would also raise new concerns in both Europe and Asia over the transfer of military technology and combat experience between Russia and North Korea.