BRUSSELS: Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday accused Russia of preparing to ship in 10,000 North Korean soldiers to strengthen its military in Ukraine. Speaking in Brussels, Zelensky spoke for the first time of a number, citing intelligence reports.
According to Zelensky, Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine already host some North Korean troops. “We know around 10,000 North Korean soldiers who are ready to fight against us,” Zelensky said in a briefing following his talks with EU leaders and NATO defense ministers.
He said this escalation, along with alleged support from Iran, including drones and missiles, would mark the beginning of a larger global conflict.” “Mr Putin is starting to mobilize North Korean troops in order not to have to mobilize more Russian troops,” Zelensky further added.
This statement comes at the backdrop of recent reports that North Korean arms, including missiles are being used by Russian forces in Ukraine. Even as Moscow and Pyongyang have on various occasions denounced the claims, Zelensky’s comments point to growing concerns pertaining to the involvement of North Korean military personnel.
Russia saw this year the visit of its president Vladimir Putin to North Korea, where he signed a defense agreement with the Korean leader, Kim Jong Un. This has been an old friends’ affiliation since the end of the Second World War; the two nations recently strengthened their friendship because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.