By George Omagbemi
KYIV — September 29, 2026: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said more than 8,000 North Korean troops are currently on Russian territory, with preparations underway for another 10,000 troops to be trained and deployed to Russia.
Zelenskiy made the disclosure on Monday, September 28, citing what he described as “new data” on North Korea’s military involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine. He said the additional troops were being selected for training before their transfer to Russia.
The latest claim comes amid growing military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. Reuters reported that Zelenskiy had previously said in August that as many as 50,000 North Korean soldiers could potentially be sent to support Russia.
North Korean troops have been involved in Russia’s war effort since 2024, with Ukrainian and South Korean assessments previously putting the number sent by Pyongyang at about 14,000 to 15,000. Many were deployed in Russia’s Kursk region, where Russian forces were fighting Ukrainian troops.
Zelenskiy has also urged South Korea to provide assistance for Ukraine’s air-defence capabilities. Seoul announced a $100 million aid package for Ukraine in July, although the package excluded lethal weapons.
The latest troop figure remains a claim by the Ukrainian president, and Reuters did not independently verify the number of North Korean troops currently in Russia or the preparations for the additional deployment.
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