Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called on Western allies to take immediate action against the presence of North Korean troops reportedly stationed in Russia near the Ukrainian border. In a recent video on Telegram, Zelenskiy stressed that North Korean soldiers, supported by growing missile capabilities and weapons production, are now positioned to confront Ukraine in combat.
“The first thousands of soldiers from North Korea are near the Ukrainian border. Ukrainians will be forced to defend themselves against them,” he stated, urging allies to go beyond passive observation. Zelenskiy emphasized the need for long-range weapons to target these forces, criticizing the lack of material support from the U.S., U.K., and Germany.
Zelenskiy’s plea comes amid escalating reports of North Korea’s military support for Russia. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently indicated that around 10,000 North Korean troops are stationed in Russia, with up to 8,000 positioned in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces launched an incursion in August.
North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, in talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, reaffirmed North Korea’s commitment to supporting Russia “until it achieves victory” in the conflict.