Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed that North Korea is effectively becoming involved in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
In his address following the 964th day of the full-scale invasion, Zelensky detailed plans by the Russian Federation to involve North Korea in its ongoing military efforts, especially during the upcoming fall and winter seasons.
“Russia is effectively planning to include North Korea in the full-scale war against Ukraine,” Zelensky said during a video message, following a meeting of Ukraine’s top military command. He explained that Ukrainian intelligence services, including the Foreign Intelligence Service and the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR), have provided detailed reports on Russia’s evolving military plans, particularly its cooperation with Pyongyang.
The Ukrainian president also highlighted the broader geopolitical dynamics, suggesting that Russia’s actions are supported by other countries that seek to prolong the conflict. This follows reports from Western media regarding the deployment of North Korean soldiers alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.
Recent media coverage, including reports from The Guardian, has suggested that North Korean military personnel were initially dispatched to Russia to assist with the setup and maintenance of KN-23 ballistic missiles. These missiles have been supplied by Pyongyang as part of its growing military cooperation with Moscow. In addition, a small contingent of North Korean engineers has reportedly been sent to the Donbas region to oversee artillery shell maintenance.
According to the head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, Andriy Kovalenko, these North Korean military personnel are also responsible for monitoring Russian military logistics and operations. They are tasked with accompanying shipments of ammunition and overseeing their use by Russian forces.
Further raising the alarm, The Washington Post has reported that several thousand North Korean soldiers are undergoing training in Russia. These troops are expected to be deployed to Ukraine by the end of the year.