Ukraine warns North Korea preparing 10,000 more troops for Russia deployment

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his government had obtained new intelligence showing North Korea is preparing to send approximately 10,000 additional troops to support Russian military operations. The disclosure points to an expanding military partnership between Russia and North Korea as Moscow seeks to bolster its forces in Ukraine.

According to Zelensky's statement, North Korean military personnel are currently undergoing selection and training procedures in preparation for deployment to Russia. The Ukrainian leader did not specify a timeline for when these troops might arrive or the exact nature of their intended combat roles.

The reported mobilisation represents a significant escalation in North Korean involvement in the conflict. Previous reports have documented North Korean soldiers already serving alongside Russian forces, marking a notable shift in Pyongyang's traditional policy of military non-involvement in foreign conflicts.

The development reflects Russia's mounting manpower challenges and its reliance on unconventional military partnerships to sustain operations. It also highlights growing geopolitical alignment between Moscow and Pyongyang, despite international isolation faced by both nations.