Zelenskyy warned North Korean troops in Russia could reach 100,000, with 11,000 already near Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned on Tuesday that the number of North Korean troops stationed in Russia could rise to 100,000. Kyiv and its Western allies have accused North Korea of supplying Russia with both weapons and troops to support its invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking via video to the European Parliament, Zelenskyy stated, 'Currently, Putin has deployed 11,000 North Korean troops near Ukraine’s borders, and this contingent may increase to 100,000.' South Korea’s intelligence agency recently reported that North Korean troops had already participated in combat operations against Ukrainian forces.
Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a strategic partnership treaty with North Korea, which includes a mutual defence clause.
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