KYIV: Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has mentioned that Russia has sought an additional 30,000 troops and missile launchers from North Korea to battle his nation.
Preparations for the additional troops are being made in Russia’s Voronezh area close to the frontier with Ukraine, Zelensky mentioned in a social media put up late Saturday (Jul 25).
North Korea despatched hundreds of troops to assist Russia battle off a Ukrainian counter-offensive within the Kursk area in 2024. It has additionally offered arms to assist Russia’s invasion since 2022.
In accordance with South Korea, some 2,000 North Korean troops have been killed within the battle.
“Russia needs to obtain one other 30,000 troops from North Korea. Since June, preparations have been underway in Russia’s Voronezh area to obtain them,” Zelensky mentioned on X.
“North Korea can also be making ready to switch extra launchers for ballistic missiles to Russia. It is a risk not solely to Ukraine. Russia helps North Korea discover ways to wage battle, enhance its weapons, and acquire actual fight expertise in utilizing them,” he added.
“All of this can be a risk to everybody in Asia who’s inside vary of North Korean missiles.”
The 2 international locations signed a army help treaty in 2024 and North Korea reaffirmed its help for Russia’s battle on Ukraine throughout a go to to Moscow this week by its international minister Choe Son Hui.
Pyongyang “expressed invariable help for all the interior and exterior insurance policies of the Russian Federation to get rid of the foundation explanation for the Ukrainian dispute and defend its nationwide sovereignty, territorial integrity and worldwide justice”, the North’s KCNA state information company mentioned after the talks.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin expressed “gratitude” for North Korea’s help in a video launched forward of Choe’s go to.
In return for its army help, North Korea has acquired money, army expertise and meals and vitality commodities to assist it overcome worldwide sanctions over its nuclear programme.
