Zelenskyy: North Korean Officers Already Training Russian Soldiers in Occupied Ukrainian Territories

North Korean officers are already present in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated during a briefing in Brussels on October 17.

These officers are training Russian soldiers, according to intelligence reports.

"I don't have an exact number of officers, but intelligence suggests that Russia is relying on this reinforcement as it struggles with mobilization and has faced significant losses on the battlefield," Zelenskyy said.

Ukrainian President also indicated that Russia plans to train 10,000 North Korean soldiers from various military branches, not just infantry.

He emphasized that Putin is seeking external support and aims to involve North Korean specialists from different military units in the war against Ukraine. Zelenskyy noted that North Korea is already preparing a contingent to fight.

"I have discussed this with the US and several leaders—this serves as official confirmation that a second country is becoming involved in the war against Ukraine," the President added.

Earlier on October 14, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has referenced intelligence reports indicating North Korea’s de facto involvement in the ongoing war, after reports have emerged indicating that more than 20 soldiers were killed near Donetsk due to a missile strike on October 3, including six North Korean officers.

North Korea has reportedly provided Russia with millions of artillery shells and missiles since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Recent reports from Western intelligence suggest that Russia relies heavily on North Korea, receiving approximately half of its annual artillery shells from it.