Ukrainian President Zelensky stated on Monday (September 28) that there are currently over 8,000 North Korean soldiers inside Russia, with another 10,000 in preparation for training and deployment to Russia. He also mentioned that Russia is providing technical assistance to North Korea in producing the “Shahed” attack drones.
In a national address on Monday evening, Zelensky revealed a report from the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Directorate (DIU) about Russia’s next steps and disclosed new data on the deployment of North Korean troops.
Zelensky said, “Currently, there are over 8,000 North Korean soldiers inside Russia. Additionally, another 10,000 soldiers are in preparation for deployment – they are undergoing selection, training, and will later be deployed to Russia.”
Zelensky had previously stated in August that up to 50,000 North Korean soldiers could be sent to Russia for combat.
According to estimates from Ukraine and South Korea, since 2024, North Korea has deployed around 14,000 to 15,000 soldiers to Russia, with the majority stationed in the Kursk region to assist in conflicts between Russian and Ukrainian forces.
Furthermore, Zelensky mentioned that Russia has begun additional mobilization efforts by increasing recruitment through various means and planning to expand the recruitment of foreigners.
“They are also planning to broaden the recruitment of foreigners. Russia is recruiting personnel from some countries to join their military, and it is crucial for the governments of these countries to take action to prevent it. We will inform all relevant governments,” he said.
In addition to troop deployments, Zelensky also revealed another aspect of Russian-North Korean military cooperation. He stated that Russia is providing technology to North Korea as part of Pyongyang’s support to the Russian side.
“As part of the exchange, one of the rewards provided by Russia is technology: with Russian technical support, North Korea has established the capability to produce Shahed attack drones,” Zelensky said.
Apart from deploying soldiers, assessments by Ukrainian and independent agencies indicate that Pyongyang has supplied Russia with millions of rounds of artillery and mortar ammunition, as well as ballistic missiles, long-range artillery systems, and multiple rocket launchers.
In his address, Zelensky also reported on the unmanned drone attacks conducted by the Russian military that day. He mentioned that over 120 Shahed drones were deployed, including 90 jet-powered ones, resulting in at least 9 deaths and over 80 injuries.
Kyiv’s National Academy of Sciences building and a hospital were targeted by jet-powered drones, while a business center in Dnipro, a residential building in Odessa were also hit, in addition to attacks in Sumy and Kharkiv regions. Zelensky also noted that one jet-powered drone reached the Polish border.
He stated that the overall drone interception rate that day was 70%, with the jet-powered Shahed drones having a lower interception rate of 57%. Ukraine is currently testing new interceptors, with some operational units already beginning to use them.