Zelensky says Russia plans to deploy North Korean troops starting from Oct 27-28

KYIV - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Oct 25 that Russia plans to deploy North Korean troops to the battlefield starting from Oct 27 to 28, citing intelligence reports.

“According to intelligence, the first North Korean soldiers are expected to be deployed by Russia to combat zones as early as Oct 27 to 28. This is a clear escalation by Russia,” he said on social media platform X after receiving reports from his top commander.

Mr Zelensky did not say which front-line sector North Korean soldiers are expected to be sent to or give any other details.

Ukrainian military intelligence said on Oct 24 that

the first North Korean units had already been recorded

in Russia’s Kursk border region, where the Ukrainian military has been operating since staging a major incursion in August.

Around 12,000 North Korean troops, including 500 officers and three generals, were already in Russia, and training was taking place on five military bases, it said.

The US said it had seen evidence of North Korean troops in Russia, and South Korean lawmakers said about 3,000 soldiers had been sent to support the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine, with more to follow.

Seoul urged Moscow to stop its “illegal cooperation” with Pyongyang and voiced “grave concern” on Oct 25.

Russian lawmakers voted unanimously the previous day to ratify a defence treaty with North Korea that provides for “mutual assistance” if either party faces aggression. It will now be sent to the Federation Council for approval.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Oct 24 that it was Moscow’s business how to implement the partnership treaty with Pyongyang. He

did not deny that North Korean troops were in Russia

.

South Korea said it would work with allies to “take appropriate measures” over the move, and the country – a major arms exporter – has suggested it could revise longstanding policy barring it from sending weapons directly to Kyiv.

One of North Korea’s United Nations representatives said at the UN General Assembly’s First Committee on Disarmament and International Security that the country was sending neither weapons nor soldiers to help Moscow.

The claims by South Korea and others are “nothing more than groundless rumours aimed at tarnishing the image of DPRK”, Mr Rim Mu Song said, referring to the North by its official name.

Western allies have said their involvement in the Ukraine conflict would be a major escalation. Mr Zelensky has said that is not enough.

“North Korea’s actual involvement in combat should not be met with indifference or uncertain commentary, but with tangible pressure on both Moscow and Pyongyang,” he added. REUTERS, AFP