Russia plans to station further 30,000-50,000 North Koreans on its territory – Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Russia plans to involve a further 30,000 to 50,000 North Koreans to carry out tasks on its territory.
Source: Zelenskyy in an interview for the national joint 24/7 newscast on 8 August
Quote: "We must understand that North Koreans appear on Russian territory from time to time – we see this, we know this. Initially, it was a matter of hundreds, then thousands; now a decision has been made for 30,000 to 50,000 North Koreans to be present in Russia.
They are studying this war. And if we are talking about crises and escalation in another direction, in the Pacific, which could pose a threat to other states in Asia, North Korea will be gaining experience of modern warfare from Russia."
Details: Zelenskyy recalled that North Korean missiles have already been found on Ukrainian territory.
According to Zelenskyy, North Korea will continue to build up its experience of modern warfare and obtain licences from Russia. Therefore, South Korea "should have closer cooperation with Ukraine".
"We are open. We would very much like to receive support from South Korea in the form of what we lack – air defence systems. And we are ready to work in areas such as a Drone Deal, among others. South Korea has legal restrictions under its Constitution – that is their choice. But we would like cooperation and are counting on it; our diplomats are in contact," Zelenskyy added.
Background:
- On 25 July, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia was preparing for the arrival of another 30,000 troops from North Korea, along with new launchers for ballistic missiles.
- On 30 July, Russia used a North Korean missile to strike a village near Kryvyi Rih, killing six members of the same family. Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the president's Sanctions Policy Commissioner, said later that another crater from a North Korean KN-23 ballistic missile had been found, indicating that the Russians had launched at least two such missiles on Ukraine.
- According to Reuters, deployment of a North Korean missile unit has begun in Russia's Voronezh Oblast and may ultimately field six launchers and up to 120 ballistic missiles. Russia has already taken delivery of 40 of these missiles from North Korea.
- Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that if a North Korean missile unit is deployed in Russia to strike Ukraine, it will immediately become a legitimate military target for Ukrainian forces.
Subscribe on Patreon to back our journalism long-term.