Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Zelensky warns Russia to deploy 50,000 North Korean troops
Ukraine and Russia have been fighting a war for almost five years.
Ukraine's leader, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, says Russia has decided to bring a lot of North Korean soldiers to help them fight.
He thinks between 30,000 and 50,000 North Korean soldiers could be sent to Russia.
Zelenskyy says North Korea is studying this war and gaining experience in modern warfare that could one day pose a threat to other countries in Asia.
He also says Ukraine has found missiles made by North Korea on its land.
Because Ukraine needs help protecting its skies, he asked South Korea to share air defence systems and work on a 'Drone Deal.'
He also visited Serbia and met its president, Aleksandar Vucic, who promised more humanitarian aid, infrastructure and energy equipment.
Both leaders said they want their countries to join the European Union, a big group of European countries.
Russian attacks hit Ukrainian cities including Kyiv, killing four people including a child, and strikes in Russia's Belgorod region killed five people.
Russia and North Korea signed a partnership treaty in 2024, and North Korea has already sent about 14,000 soldiers to Russia's Kursk Region.
Zelenskyy said on Saturday that a decision has been made to deploy 30,000 to 50,000 North Korean troops to Russia, up from his July estimate of 30,000.
Zelenskyy said North Korean missiles have been found on Ukrainian territory - an 'established fact' - and that North Korea will build experience in modern warfare and receive licenses and military tools from Russia.
Zelenskyy asked South Korea for air defence systems and 'Drone Deal' cooperation but noted Seoul has a legal restriction under its Constitution.
On his first visit to Belgrade, Zelenskyy met Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who pledged more humanitarian aid, infrastructure and energy equipment, with both leaders committing to European Union membership.
Russian strikes killed four people, including a child, in Kyiv and its surrounding region on Saturday, while five people were killed and 25 injured in Russia's Belgorod region; Moscow also struck port infrastructure in Odesa and Mykolaiv.
- Who
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who made the claims; also Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic
- What
- Zelenskyy said a decision has been made to deploy 30,000 to 50,000 North Korean troops to Russia, said North Korean missiles were found in Ukraine, and asked South Korea for air defence support
- When
- Saturday (local time), reported on August 9, during the nearly five-year-old Russia-Ukraine war
- Where
- Ukraine and Russia; Zelenskyy spoke in a Ukrainian media interview and on X and met Vucic in Belgrade, Serbia; Russian strikes hit Kyiv, Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Russia's Belgorod region
- Why
- Zelenskyy says North Korea is gaining modern warfare experience under Russia that could eventually threaten other Asian countries, while Ukraine seeks air defences and international support as Moscow intensifies its offensive
Ukraine's view
Alternative views
North Korean troop deployment
Ukraine's view
Zelenskyy says a decision has been made to deploy 30,000 to 50,000 North Korean troops and calls the presence of North Korean missiles in Ukraine an 'established fact.'
Alternative views
The figures rely on Zelenskyy's statements without independent confirmation, and he did not explain how he obtained the information; North Korea has cast its deployment as assistance to a treaty partner.
South Korean military support
Ukraine's view
Ukraine urgently wants air defence systems and 'Drone Deal' cooperation and is counting on it, with diplomats in contact with Seoul.
Alternative views
South Korea has a legal restriction under its Constitution that limits such cooperation, so the assistance cannot be taken as guaranteed.
Serbia's alignment
Ukraine's view
Zelenskyy welcomed Serbia's pledges of humanitarian aid, infrastructure and energy equipment, with both sides committing to EU membership.
Alternative views
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has reportedly only recently been scaling back his once-close ties with Russia, per Bloomberg, so Serbia's alignment remains in flux.
- Reported North Korean troop deployment
- 30,000-50,000 troops to Russia, per Zelenskyy; up from his July estimate of 30,000
- North Korean missiles in Ukraine
- Called an 'established fact' by Zelenskyy; locations not disclosed
- Support requested from South Korea
- Air defence systems and 'Drone Deal' cooperation
- Prior North Korean deployment
- An estimated 14,000 soldiers to Russia's Kursk Region in 2024
- Russia-North Korea treaty
- Comprehensive strategic partnership with mutual assistance, signed in June 2024 in Pyongyang
- Reported North Korean missile unit
- Deploying to western Russia, potentially with 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers, per Ukraine's military intelligence
- Zelenskyy-Serbia meeting
- First visit to Belgrade; Vucic pledged humanitarian aid, infrastructure and energy equipment; both seek EU membership
- Strikes on Saturday
- Four killed, including a child, in Kyiv and its region; five killed and 25 injured in Russia's Belgorod region; Odesa and Mykolaiv ports targeted
Sources
Zelensky claims Russia deploying up to 50,000 North Korean troops in Ukraine, seeeks help from South Korea
Ukraine’s Zelenskiy says up to 50,000 North Korean troops to be deployed in Russia
Russia-Ukraine war: Zelenskyy claims 30,000-50,000 North Korean troops to be deployed to advance Moscow's fight