Zelensky Says Russia Plans To Bring In 30,000 More North Korean Troops

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday that Russia is preparing to bring an additional 30,000 North Korean troops into its ongoing war against Ukraine, adding that preparations to receive the soldiers have already been underway for weeks.

Preparations Reportedly Underway In Russia’s Voronezh Region

In his nightly video address, Zelensky said Russia’s cooperation with North Korea continues to deepen, with preparations in the Voronezh region ongoing since June to receive the incoming troops. He did not provide additional details on the timeline or specific role the soldiers would play in the conflict.

Follows Earlier Deployment During Kursk Incursion

Under a mutual defense pact between Russia and North Korea, Pyongyang previously sent roughly 14,000 soldiers to fight alongside Russian forces in the Kursk region in 2024, following a major Ukrainian incursion into that area. The reported plan for a larger deployment would mark a significant escalation in North Korea’s involvement in the more than four-year-long war.