Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that more than 8,000 North Korean troops are currently in Russia, with preparations under way to send another 10,000.
Zelenskyy said the latest intelligence showed North Korean personnel were “being selected for training and subsequent deployment to Russia”.
The claim comes amid growing military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.
Ukraine and South Korea estimate that North Korea has sent around 14,000 to 15,000 troops to support Russia since 2024, with many deployed in the Kursk region during fighting linked to Ukraine’s incursion there.
North Korea has also been accused by Ukraine and independent analysts of supplying Russia with millions of artillery and mortar shells, as well as ballistic missiles and other weapons systems.
Zelenskyy warned in August that as many as 50,000 North Korean soldiers could eventually be sent to support Russian forces and urged South Korea to strengthen assistance to Ukraine, particularly its air-defence capabilities.
South Korea has provided non-lethal support, including a $100 million aid package announced in July, but has not agreed to supply weapons to Ukraine.
The issue has also created tensions between Kyiv and Seoul. Last week, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea, prompting Seoul to express regret over the public disclosure, citing an understanding that the transfer would remain confidential.
South Korea also objected to a subsequent statement from the Ukrainian presidential office disputing that such an agreement existed.
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