Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday that North Korea was “involved in a war” with Ukraine and was preparing tens of thousands of soldiers to fight alongside Russia, adding that Kiev and Moscow are seeking closer ties. He said that now the war will expand. They are looking for new ways to replenish their ranks.
“What we know is that North Korea is already preparing forces to fight against Ukraine,” Zelenskiy said at a news conference in Brussels, adding that the Ukrainian leader called for a “victory” in Kiev. He said he hopes to gather support from European countries for a new roadmap towards the future. and NATO officials.
“We are aware of the intention to prepare 10,000 soldiers from different branches of the military,” he said in remarks reported by Ukrainian media.
This would mark a significant escalation of North Korea’s involvement in the war on behalf of its main ally, Russia. So far, formal troops from countries outside the conflict have not committed large numbers to the front.
In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (left) shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok, Russia, on April 25, 2019. North Korea is “involved” North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (left) shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok, Russia, on April 25, 2019. It is “embroiled in war” with Ukraine by the North Korean government, which has prepared dozens of wars. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on October 17, 2024 that he would send thousands of soldiers to fight alongside Russia.
In remarks reported by the Kyiv Independent newspaper, President Zelenskiy said this was “the first step towards a world war.” He discussed North Korea’s engagement with the United States and other allies.
The Kremlin has dismissed reports that North Korean troops are fighting alongside Russian troops as “fake news.”
Moscow, which has been ostracized by many Western powers after its February 24, 2022 invasion of Ukraine, has increasingly turned to allies such as Iran, China and North Korea for weapons.
President Zelenskiy said this week that relations between Moscow and North Korea were “intensifying” and was no longer just talking about arms deliveries to Russia, but also “the transfer of people from North Korea” to the Russian military. added.
The BBC reported on Wednesday, citing Ukrainian military sources, that Russia is building a force of about 3,000 North Korean fighters.
Earlier this month, Ukrainian news outlet Kyiv Post reported, citing unnamed Ukrainian sources, that six North Korean personnel were killed in a Ukrainian missile attack on Russian-occupied territory in the eastern Donetsk region.
South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun responded to the report and said it was probably true.
Referring to the mutual defense agreement between North Korea and Russia signed in June, Kim said, “Russia and North Korea have signed a mutual treaty similar to a military alliance, so the possibility of such a deployment is unlikely.” Very high.”
Kiev has repeatedly targeted Russian bases housing military supplies supplied by North Korea, including facilities deep in Russian territory. The Russian government fired dozens of North Korean missiles at targets in Ukraine.
Kirillo Budanov, the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency GUR, said in September that munitions supplied by North Korea are “very harmful to us and there is nothing we can do about this for now.” .
Russia and Ukraine, with little end to their conflicts in sight, face similar problems attracting new recruits to their depleted forces.
Introducing North Korean troops is likely an attractive prospect for the Kremlin, which wants to avoid politically and socially unpopular moves such as expanding conscription or announcing mobilization.
Updated 10/17/24 11:15am ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
