President Zelenskyy Estimates Up to 50,000 North Korean Troops Deployed to Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Sunday that between 30,000 and 50,000 North Korean soldiers appear set for deployment on Russian territory to support the war against Ukraine. In an interview with the United News telethon and a subsequent post on X, Zelenskyy noted that the scale of the deployment has grown from hundreds to thousands, and now to tens of thousands. He warned that North Korea will gain experience in modern warfare, acquire military tools, and receive licenses from Russia through this partnership. In light of these developments, Zelenskyy urged South Korea to strengthen its cooperation with Kyiv, specifically requesting support for drones and air defense systems. He acknowledged that South Korea has legal restrictions under its constitution but stated that diplomats remain in contact.

These new estimates follow previous reports of North Korean involvement. Earlier assessments from Ukraine, the United States, and South Korea estimated between 10,000 and 12,000 troops by the end of 2024. Some reports indicated that around 20,000 combat troops and military engineers were sent to the Kursk region following a mutual defense pact signed in June 2024. Russia and North Korea confirmed in April 2025 that North Korean troops had fought Ukrainian forces in Kursk. Additionally, Ukrainian intelligence reports suggest a North Korean missile unit of approximately 90 personnel, equipped with up to 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers, may be deploying to the Voronezh region.

Beyond personnel, North Korea has provided Russia with millions of artillery projectiles, mortars, and long range missile systems. One analysis identified 64 shipments of ammunition via Russian cargo ships to the port of Rajin between September 2023 and March 2025. Russian officials also mentioned the deployment of 1,000 demining specialists and 5,000 military construction workers to assist with infrastructure reconstruction in Kursk.