Zelenskyy accuses Russia of bringing in 30,000 North Korean troops

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of attempting to bring in 30,000 North Korean troops to join the war against his country. Speaking in a video address on Saturday evening, Zelenskyy said, “We also see Russia’s cooperation with North Korea. Russia wants to bring in 30,000 more troops from North Korea.” Citing comprehensive intelligence reports on Russia’s plans for the coming autumn, he claimed Moscow is preparing to expand its mobilisation. Zelenskyy also alleged that Russia has been preparing for the arrival of North Korean military personnel in the Voronezh border region since June, and that Pyongyang is readying new ballistic missile launchers for delivery to Russia. “This is not just a threat to Ukraine. Russia is helping North Korea learn to wage war, to perfect their weaponry, and to gain experience in using those weapons on the battlefield. All of this is a threat to everyone in Asia within range of North Korean missiles,” Zelenskyy said. Russia and North Korea have deepened their political and military partnership since signing a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement in June 2024. In April 2025, Russia confirmed North Korean troops were involved in efforts to retake Ukrainian-held territory in Kursk, following Kyiv’s incursion into the region in August 2024. There has been no official response from Russia or North Korea to Zelenskyy’s latest claims.