Panorama
Zelensky anticipates up to 50,000 North Korean soldiers in Russia
The Ukrainian government believes that Russia will deploy between 30,000 and 50,000 North Korean soldiers to support its war efforts.
According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, as many as 50,000 North Korean soldiers could be sent to Russia to learn modern warfare techniques. Zelensky made this assessment in a post on the online platform X, representing an increase from the previously estimated figure, which ranged from 30,000 to 50,000 soldiers.
In this context, Zelensky urged South Korea to promote close cooperation with Ukraine. This could be seen as a response to indications that North Korea may increasingly intervene in military support for Russia.
The assessment regarding the number of North Korean soldiers is part of a broader analysis of the military assistance Russia is receiving in its war of aggression against Ukraine, emphasizing concerns about a potential increase in this support.
Ukrainian authorities are alarmed by the developments and the associated potential risks that the influx of North Korean soldiers could pose. Kyiv faces the challenge of assessing and responding to this new military impetus.
The cooperation between North Korea and Russia in military affairs underscores the geopolitical tensions in the region and the differing interests of the involved states. This could have implications for strategies and tactics in the Ukraine conflict.