Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed on Friday that North Korean troops are set to be deployed by Russia to the battlefield in Ukraine as soon as this weekend.
Western officials have cautioned that such a move would escalate the nearly three-year conflict and could have geopolitical repercussions reaching the Indo-Pacific region.
Zelenskyy indicated that Ukrainian intelligence had identified “the first North Korean military will be used by Russia in combat zones” between Sunday and Monday. He described the deployment as “an obvious escalating move by Russia” but did not disclose specifics regarding the potential locations for the North Korean soldiers.
Russia has been engaged in a fierce summer offensive along the eastern front in Ukraine, gradually pushing Kyiv to cede territory. However, they have faced challenges in expelling Ukrainian forces from the Kursk border area after an incursion nearly three months ago.
The inclusion of North Korean troops, under a military agreement between Moscow and Pyongyang, adds a new dimension to the conflict, which has become Europe’s largest war since World War II, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties on both sides, including many civilians.
The U.S. stated on Wednesday that 3,000 North Korean troops have already been sent to Russia for training at various locations, deeming the situation very serious. Zelenskyy noted a week ago that intelligence suggests 10,000 North Korean soldiers are being prepared to join Russian forces fighting in Ukraine. He warned that if a third nation enters the fray, it could escalate the conflict into a “world war.”
While North Korea has previously supplied ammunition to Russia under a defense pact, the deployment of ground troops could complicate a war that has polarized international politics, with most Western nations backing Kyiv. In contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin has sought support from BRICS countries.