Zelenskiy says up to 50,000 North Korean troops could be deployed in Russia

Sunday 09 August 2026 - 13:45

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said up to 50,000 North Korean troops could be deployed in Russia to support Pyongyang's ally, while urging South Korea to strengthen assistance for Ukraine's air defence capabilities.

Zelenskiy made the claim in a post on X on Saturday, saying a decision had reportedly been taken to deploy between 30,000 and 50,000 North Koreans on Russian territory.

The Ukrainian president did not provide details about the source of the information or explain how Kyiv had reached the higher estimate.

Estimate rises from previous figure

Zelenskiy's latest figure represents an increase from his previous assessment.

In July, the Ukrainian leader had estimated that 30,000 North Korean troops could be brought into the conflict. His latest statement suggests that Kyiv believes the potential scale of North Korea's military involvement could be significantly larger.

The claim comes amid continuing reports and assessments concerning North Korean support for Russia during the war in Ukraine.

Kyiv seeks stronger South Korean support

Alongside his comments about North Korean forces, Zelenskiy called on South Korea to provide additional assistance, particularly for Ukraine's air defence.

The appeal reflects Kyiv's broader effort to obtain military and technological support from countries outside its immediate European and North American partners.

South Korea has closely monitored North Korea's growing military cooperation with Russia, including concerns about the transfer of military expertise and equipment between Moscow and Pyongyang.

North Korea's role remains closely watched

North Korea has emerged as an increasingly important partner for Russia during the conflict, drawing international attention to the extent of its military cooperation with Moscow.

Zelenskiy's latest statement, however, does not independently establish that the reported deployment of up to 50,000 troops will take place or confirm when it could occur.

The Ukrainian government has previously warned that North Korean military involvement could expand the international dimension of the war and further strengthen Russia's ability to sustain its military campaign.

As Kyiv seeks additional air-defence capabilities, the potential scale of North Korean involvement remains a significant issue for Ukraine and its allies.