Zelensky claims Russia preparing to deploy 30,000 more North Korean troops
Ukrainian President Zelensky has claimed that Russia is preparing to deploy an additional 30,000 North Korean troops to support its military campaign against Ukraine, while also alleging that Pyongyang plans to supply Moscow with more missile launchers.
According to international media reports, Zelensky made the remarks in a post on X, stating that Russia has been making preparations since last month to receive the additional North Korean personnel in the Voronezh region, near Ukraine's border.
Russia wants to receive another 30,000 troops from North Korea. Since June, preparations have been underway in Russia’s Voronezh region to receive them. North Korea is also preparing to transfer additional launchers for ballistic missiles to Russia.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 25, 2026
This is a threat not only to…
"Russia wants to bring in another 30,000 troops from North Korea. Since June, preparations have been underway in the Voronezh region to receive them," Zelensky said in his post.
The Ukrainian president also claimed that North Korea is preparing to transfer additional launchers for ballistic missiles to Russia as part of its continued military support.
Zelensky warned that the growing military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang poses a threat beyond Ukraine.
He said Russia was enabling North Korea to gain real battlefield experience, improve its weapons systems and learn modern warfare techniques, which could have wider implications for regional and global security.
The claims have not been independently verified, and Russia and North Korea have not immediately responded to Zelensky's latest allegations.
Both countries have previously denied accusations of military cooperation involving North Korean troops in the Ukraine conflict.