Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Saturday that Russia has requested an additional 30,000 North Korean soldiers to support its war against Ukraine, alongside upcoming transfers of ballistic missile launchers. According to Zelensky, preparations have been underway since June in Russia’s Voronezh region, which shares a border with Ukraine, to accommodate the incoming troops.
Military Expansion and Border Deployments
The reported troop request follows an established pattern of deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang since the conflict escalated in early 2022. According to South Korean authorities, North Korea has previously deployed thousands of soldiers to Russia’s Kursk region to counter Ukrainian operations, resulting in approximately 2,000 North Korean deaths on the battlefield and two confirmed captures by Ukrainian forces.
Zelensky emphasized that the expanding deployment poses risks beyond Eastern Europe. “It is not just a threat to Ukraine,” Zelensky wrote on the social media platform X. “Russia is helping North Korea learn how to make war, to improve its weapons, and to acquire real combat experience in their utilization.” He added that this exchange threatens regional stability across Asia for any populations within range of North Korean missile systems.
Diplomatic Engagements and Bilateral Treaties
The announcements follow a recent visit to Moscow by North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui. During the visit, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Pyongyang expressed unwavering support for Russian policies aimed at eliminating the root causes of the conflict and defending its national sovereignty.
Cooperation between the two nations is anchored by a mutual defense treaty signed in 2024, which requires each state to provide immediate military assistance if the other is attacked. While Pyongyang supplies munitions and personnel, experts indicate that Moscow compensates North Korea with financial backing, military technology transfers, energy resources, and food supplies. These exchanges assist North Korean leadership in circumventing international sanctions tied to the country’s nuclear and ballistic programs.
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