Russia may seek 30,000 more North Korean troops, Zelenskiy says

2026-07-26

Request for additional troop deployment from North Korea

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on the 25th that an analysis indicates Russia is seeking an additional 30,000 troops from North Korea. He said Russia has been preparing a system to receive them in the southern Russian region of Voronezh since June.

Zelenskiy also claimed that North Korea is making preparations to provide Russia with additional launchers for ballistic missiles. He said Ukrainian intelligence agencies had obtained Russia's mobilization plans.

Troop shortages and returns for support

Russian forces are struggling on the front line, with troop shortages becoming increasingly apparent. Zelenskiy presented an analysis showing that Russian military casualties in the seven months since the start of the year had reached 225,500, exceeding the 221,000 soldiers who had enlisted. Russia is believed to aim to make up for its manpower shortfall with support from North Korea.

Russia and North Korea signed the 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty' in June 2024, including clauses reminiscent of a Cold War-era military alliance. North Korea sent more than 10,000 soldiers to Russia in 2024, and they joined operations to retake the western Russian region of Kursk, where Ukraine had carried out a cross-border attack.

Russia is believed to be providing missile technology and other assistance in return for the deployment of North Korean troops. Zelenskiy said this would pose a threat to Asian countries within range of North Korean missiles.

Alert over additional mobilization

Ukraine is heightening its vigilance over the possibility that Russia may move to additional mobilization after the lower house election in September.

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