Zelensky raises North Korean troop estimate to 50,000 as Kyiv seeks South Korean air defence aid
Estimates of North Korean soldiers in Russia have jumped from 30,000 to 50,000, prompting calls for a 'Drone Deal' and enhanced air defence cooperation with Seoul.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has significantly increased his estimate of North Korean personnel deployed to Russia, stating that a decision has been made to station between 30,000 and 50,000 soldiers on Russian territory. The figure marks a substantial escalation from his July assessment of 30,000 troops, reflecting what Kyiv describes as a deepening military alliance between Pyongyang and Moscow.
Zelensky announced the updated figures on the social media platform X, noting that Kyiv had identified North Korean missiles within Ukraine’s borders, though he did not specify their locations. He warned that the deployment would allow North Korea to accumulate valuable battlefield experience and acquire military technology, including receiving licences and advanced weaponry from Russia in exchange for its support.
The development follows a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed in June 2024 by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a visit to Pyongyang. The agreement includes a mutual assistance clause triggered by external aggression, which North Korea has cited to justify its involvement. Since 2024, an estimated 14,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to Russia’s Kursk Region, where they have assisted in repelling Ukrainian incursions.
Amidst these geopolitical shifts, Ukraine is facing intensified pressure from Russian drone and missile strikes, which have exploited Kyiv’s depleted high-end air defence capabilities. Recent attacks in Kyiv and surrounding regions have killed at least four people, including a child. In response to these threats, Zelensky urged South Korea to provide critical air defence support and pursue a "Drone Deal," confirming that Ukrainian diplomats are currently in contact with Seoul to facilitate such agreements.
Intelligence assessments indicate that North Korea has supplied Russia with millions of artillery and mortar rounds, ballistic missiles, and multiple-launch rocket systems. A recent report from Ukraine’s military intelligence suggested that a North Korean missile unit equipped with 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers has begun deploying to western Russia. While the North Korean Embassy in Russia and South Korea’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment, Kyiv continues to conduct near-daily long-range strikes on Russian oil facilities to disrupt Moscow’s fuel supplies.
