Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia is planning to deploy North Korean troops to the battlefield starting as early as Sunday.
“According to intelligence reports, on October 27-28, the first North Korean military will be used by Russia in combat zones,” he said on the Telegram messenger after receiving reports from his top commander.
Zelenskyy urged allies to respond to this “escalatory move” by applying “tangible pressure” on Moscow and Pyongyang.
“This is a clear escalation by Russia,” Zelenskyy posted on X after receiving reports from his top commander.
He did not say what part of the frontline the North Korean soldiers were expected to be sent.
Ukrainian military intelligence on Thursday said the first North Korean units have already been recorded in Russia’s Kursk border region, where the Ukrainian military has been operating since August.
It said some 12,000 North Korean troops, including 500 officers and three generals, were already in Russia with training taking place on five military bases.
South Korean lawmakers say about 3,000 soldiers had been sent to support the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine, with more to follow.
rc/lo (AP, AFP, dpa, Reuters)