Ukraine war briefing: North Korea sending 50,000 troops to Russia – Zelenskyy

Kim Jong-un's regime has already provided thousands of soldiers, as well as missiles and artillery; Turkey readies arms package for Ukraine. What we know on day 1,629. Up to 50,000 North Korean soldiers will be deployed in Russia, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said, while calling on South Korea to provide support for Ukraine's air defence. It is an increase from the estimated 30,000 announced by the Ukrainian president in July. Kyiv had found some North Korean missiles in Ukraine's territory, he said. "It is absolutely clear that North Korea will continue to build its experience in modern warfare, receive licences from Russia, and receive all kinds of military tools from them." This month, an official at Ukraine's military intelligence told Reuters that a North Korean missile unit has begun deploying personnel and equipment to western Russia and the unit could be equipped with 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers for strikes against Ukraine. North Korea sent an estimated 14,000 soldiers to Russia's Kursk region in 2024, helping Moscow fight an invasion by Ukrainian forces.