Zelenskyy: Russia has received ballistic missiles from North Korea and is preparing to deploy additional contingent

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on 10 August that Russia has received additional ballistic weapons from North Korea and plans to deploy an additional contingent on its territory.

Source: Zelenskyy's evening address

Quote: "This is the first time in Russia's history that they no longer have a secure strategic rear. For the first time, they cannot wage war without reinforcements from North Korea. They are now preparing to deploy an additional North Korean contingent on their territory. They have received, just imagine, additional ballistic missiles from North Korea. And everyone around the world must understand what this means."

Details: Zelenskyy added that North Korean ballistic weapons and other arms are being improved through collaboration with Russia.

Quote: "The more North Korean strikes there are here in Ukraine, in Europe, the more their missiles and soldiers are used, the more they correct their shortcomings and blind spots, the greater the danger will later be for Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines and other countries in the region."

More details: Zelenskyy stressed the need to work with partners on air defence assistance and to speak about "taking away North Korea's appetite and any interest in coming here – to our land and into our skies – with its weapons in order to learn how to wage war".

Background:

• On 25 July, Zelenskyy stated that Russia is preparing to receive a further 30,000 troops and new ballistic missile launchers from North Korea.
• Reuters reported on 6 August, citing Ukraine's intelligence representative, that a North Korean missile unit had begun deploying in Russia's Voronezh Oblast, possibly with six launchers and 120 ballistic missiles, of which Russia has already received 40 rockets from North Korea.

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