Zelensky warns North Korean troop numbers in Russia could reach 50,000

As the Russia-Ukraine war approaches its fifth year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a stark warning that North Korean troop deployments to Russia could escalate dramatically, potentially reshaping the battlefield balance.

North Korean reinforcements on the way

Zelensky said Pyongyang has already sent approximately 14,000 soldiers to Russia’s Kursk region, but warned that number could soon rise to 50,000. Ukrainian military intelligence officials reported that a North Korean missile unit, equipped with 120 ballistic missiles and six launcher vehicles, has begun moving to western Russia. Pyongyang has also provided Moscow with millions of rounds of ammunition, ballistic missiles, and rocket artillery systems. Zelensky noted that North Korea would gain valuable modern combat experience and military technology from Russia in return, posing long-term security risks to the region.

Zelensky seeks South Korean air defense support

Meanwhile, Zelensky appealed to South Korea for air defense assistance, citing Ukraine’s critical shortage of systems to counter Russian aerial attacks. His appeal came as Russian strikes continued to inflict heavy casualties and damage across Ukraine. A missile strike on a residential building in Kharkiv’s Saltivskyi district killed two and wounded 13. Strikes on Odesa damaged energy infrastructure, port facilities, and residential buildings. A WHO medical supply depot in Dnipro was destroyed in an attack. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for an end to strikes on health facilities. Russia, meanwhile, reported that Ukrainian drones killed five and wounded 24 in the Belgorod region, and struck commercial facilities and a residential building in Novorossiysk.

Drones enter neighboring airspace

A Ukrainian drone reportedly entered Bulgarian airspace and exploded, prompting Sofia to summon Ukraine’s ambassador. Debris from a military drone was also found near Moldova’s Crocmaz village. UK Defense Secretary Wes Streeting called on allies to bolster Ukraine’s air defense before winter. Pope Leo, in a pre-prayer address, expressed sorrow over civilian casualties in both Ukraine and Russia and urged an end to attacks on civilian targets. According to UN data, more than 16,000 civilians have been killed since the war began. Türkiye has consistently called for a ceasefire and diplomatic resolution, while also facilitating prisoner exchanges and grain deals between the warring parties.