Ukraine's Zelenskiy says Russia wants to bring in 30,000 North Korean troops to conflict; preparations underway since June

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy revealed that Russia is preparing to bring in 30,000 North Korean troops to bolster its military efforts in Ukraine, with preparations ongoing in the Voronezh region since June.¹²³⁴

Zelenskiy stated, "Russia wants to bring in another 30,000 North Korean troops," highlighting the ongoing cooperation between the two nations. This follows a previous deployment of 14,000 North Korean soldiers in 2024 during a Ukrainian incursion into the Kursk region.

The Ukrainian president emphasized the significance of this development, noting that it poses a threat not only to Ukraine but also to regional stability in Asia. He remarked, "This is a threat not only to Ukraine. Russia is helping North Korea learn how to wage war, improve its weapons, and gain real combat experience in using them."

The situation is compounded by Russia's broader mobilization efforts, with 221,000 people joining the Russian Armed Forces in less than seven months this year, while casualties have reached nearly 225,500, including 131,000 killed and almost 93,000 wounded.

Zelenskiy urged international partners to exert pressure on Russia to shift the narrative towards peace rather than further mobilization, stating, "It is crucial that, together with our partners, we exert enough pressure on Russia so that the idea of ending this aggression becomes the dominant one."