Zelenskyy says Russia seeks 30,000 extra North Korean troops for Ukraine war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claims Russia is seeking an additional 30,000 North Korean troops for the ongoing war. This development follows a military assistance treaty between Moscow and Pyongyang, raising concerns about regional security in Asia.
Why it matters
The deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea significantly escalates the conflict in Ukraine and threatens security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Russia has sought an extra 30,000 troops and missile launchers from North Korea to fight his country.
Preparations for the extra troops are being made in Russia's Voronezh region near the frontier with Ukraine, Mr. Zelenskyy said in a social media post late on Saturday (July 25).
North Korea sent thousands of troops to help Russia fight off a Ukrainian counter-offensive in the Kursk region in 2024. It has also provided arms to help Russia's invasion since 2022.
According to South Korea, some 2,000 North Korean troops have been killed in the war.
"Russia wants to receive another 30,000 troops from North Korea. Since June, preparations have been underway in Russia's Voronezh region to receive them," Mr. Zelenskyy said on X.
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