Zelenskyy Claims North Korean Troops Will Deploy to Russia This Weekend

Photo : AFP

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has raised alarms over the imminent deployment of North Korean troops by Russia, claiming that they could be sent to the battlefield in Ukraine as soon as this weekend. Zelenskyy made this assertion in a statement on Friday, indicating that Ukrainian intelligence has identified plans for the first North Korean military personnel to engage in combat operations between Sunday and Monday.

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This potential deployment marks what Zelenskyy describes as “an obvious escalating move by Russia,” suggesting that it could further intensify the ongoing conflict, which has already resulted in significant casualties and upheaval since its onset nearly three years ago. He did not elaborate on specific locations where these North Korean forces might be stationed.

Western officials have expressed concerns that the introduction of North Korean troops into the conflict could have far-reaching geopolitical implications, extending as far as the Indo-Pacific region. The ramifications of such a move could alter the dynamics of the war, which has been characterized as Europe’s largest since World War II, claiming tens of thousands of lives, including many civilians.

Zelenskyy’s warnings come as reports indicate that approximately 3,000 North Korean troops are currently training in Russia at various locations. This development is viewed as a serious escalation of the military alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang. The U.S. intelligence community has underscored the gravity of this situation, confirming that North Korean forces are receiving military training on Russian soil.

In recent weeks, Zelenskyy has indicated that his government possesses intelligence suggesting that up to 10,000 North Korean troops are being prepared to assist Russian forces in the fight against Ukraine. He has cautioned that the involvement of a third nation in the hostilities could elevate the conflict to a “world war” level.

North Korea has already been supplying ammunition to Russia as part of a defense pact, but the prospect of their troops actively participating in ground operations introduces a new layer of complexity to the war. This conflict has sharply divided international politics, with most Western nations rallying behind Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression.

In the meantime, Russian President Vladimir Putin has sought support from BRICS nations, looking to strengthen alliances that could bolster Moscow’s position in the protracted conflict. As the situation develops, the international community is closely monitoring the implications of North Korea's involvement in the war, wary of its potential to escalate tensions on multiple fronts.