Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has raised concerns about the deployment of thousands of North Korean soldiers to Russia, stating that it signifies an internationalization of the conflict. In a message on Telegram, he asserted, “There is only one conclusion — this war is internationalised.”
Western leaders have reported that approximately 10,000 North Korean troops have been sent to assist Russia’s military efforts, a move that may heighten tensions not just in Europe but also in the Indo-Pacific region. Finland’s President Alexander Stubb emphasized that North Korea’s troop deployment to Russia contradicts China’s stated position on the Ukraine conflict, describing it as “escalation, expansion, and provocation.”
Zelenskyy indicated that he discussed the situation with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, revealing that 3,000 North Korean soldiers are currently stationed near the Ukrainian front line, with expectations that this number could rise to 12,000.
At the Pentagon, Major General Pat Ryder acknowledged the presence of a “relatively small number” of North Korean troops in Russia’s Kursk region, where they are reportedly aiding Russian forces facing challenges from Ukrainian advances.
In response to North Korea’s involvement, South Korea has indicated it might send arms to Ukraine, having maintained close communication with NATO, the U.S., and the EU regarding recent developments.
As relations between North Korea and Russia deepen, North Korea’s top diplomat is reportedly visiting Moscow. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula are also escalating, with North Korea conducting provocative weapons tests and the U.S. and South Korea intensifying military exercises.
Meanwhile, Russian forces have launched drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities like Kyiv and Kharkiv, resulting in fatalities and injuries. The Russian Defence Ministry has claimed advancements in the eastern Donetsk region, including the capture of several locations, though these assertions have not been independently verified.