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North Korea Could Deploy Up to 50,000 Troops to Russia, Zelenskyy Says
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
North Korea is preparing to have between 30,000 and 50,000 troops stationed in Russia, where they could gain further experience from Moscow’s war against Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
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Speaking in an interview with Ukraine’s national telethon on August 8, Zelenskyy said the scale of North Korean military involvement in Russia has expanded from hundreds of personnel to thousands, with a decision now made to increase their presence substantially.
“North Koreans appear on the territory of the Russian Federation from time to time. We see this, we know this. If at first we were talking about hundreds, then thousands, now a decision has been made for between 30,000 and 50,000 North Koreans to be on the territory of Russia,” Zelenskyy said.
He warned that the deployment would allow North Korea to build practical experience in modern warfare and deepen its military cooperation with Russia.
“They are studying this war, and if we are talking about crises and escalation in another direction, in the Pacific, which may pose a threat to other countries in the Asian region, then, of course, North Korea will gain experience in modern warfare under Russia,” Zelenskyy said.
According to Zelenskyy, Pyongyang could also receive military licenses and other defense-related capabilities from Moscow as the two countries expand cooperation.
The Ukrainian president said the growing Russia–North Korea partnership should encourage South Korea to strengthen its own cooperation with Kyiv, particularly in air defense and drone technology.
“We are open. We would very much like to receive support from South Korea in the area where we have a deficit. These are air defense systems. And we are ready to work in the direction of a Drone Deal and so on,” Zelenskyy said.
He acknowledged that South Korea faces domestic legal restrictions on military assistance but said Ukrainian diplomats remain engaged with Seoul.
The potential troop increase would come alongside a broader expansion of North Korea’s military presence in Russia. According to Reuters on August 5, a North Korean missile unit began deploying to western Russia, where Moscow plans to build a force of up to 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers for strikes on Ukraine.
Ukrainian intelligence said North Korea had already delivered a new batch of 40 KN-23 and KN-24 missiles, along with personnel trained to operate them.
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