Ukraine's Zelenskyy says North Korea prepares to deploy another 10,000 troops to Russia

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that more than 8,000 North Korean troops are already on Russian territory and another 10,000 are being prepared for deployment. He said the soldiers were being selected for training and later sent to Russia. Zelenskyy also noted that South Korea had announced a $100 million aid package for Ukraine in July, excluding lethal weapons.

Zelenskyy said in August that up to 50,000 North Korean soldiers could be sent to fight for Russia.

South Korea announced in July a $100 million aid package for Ukraine that excluded lethal weapons.

Seoul and Kyiv were at odds after Zelenskyy said Ukraine had transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea.

North Korea has sent an estimated 14,000 to 15,000 troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine since 2024, according to Ukrainian and South Korean estimates.

Pyongyang has also supplied Russia with artillery and mortar rounds, ballistic missiles, long-range artillery systems, and multiple-launch rocket systems, according to Ukrainian and independent assessments.

Published Sep 29, 2026 7:57 am KST

Updated Sep 29, 2026 8:08 am KST

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses the 81st session of the United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly at U.N. Headquarters in New York City, Wednesday (local time), in this Getty Images photo. AFP-Yonhap

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday there are more than 8,000 North Korean troops on Russian territory and preparations are underway to deploy another 10,000 troops.

Citing "new data" on the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia, Zelenskyy said they were "being selected for training and subsequent deployment to Russia."

The Ukrainian president said in August that up to 50,000 North Korean soldiers could be sent to fight for Russia, and called on South Korea to provide support for Ukraine's air defence.

South Korea announced in July a $100 million aid package for Ukraine, although it excluded lethal weapons.

Zelenskyy's comments on Monday came after Seoul and Kyiv were at odds over his announcement last week that Ukraine had transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea.

Seoul expressed regret over his announcement, citing an agreement to keep the transfer confidential. South Korea also protested against what it called a false statement from the Ukrainian presidential office denying that such a confidentiality agreement existed.

North Korea has sent an estimated 14,000 to 15,000 troops to support Russia's war in Ukraine since 2024, according to Ukrainian and South Korean estimates, with most deployed in the Kursk region to help repel a Ukrainian incursion.

Pyongyang has also supplied Russia with millions of artillery and mortar rounds, as well as ballistic missiles, long-range artillery systems and multiple-launch rocket systems, according to Ukrainian and independent assessments.

乌克兰总统泽连斯基周一表示，已有超过8000名朝鲜士兵进入俄罗斯境内，另有1万名士兵正在接受部署前的准备。他表示，这些士兵正在接受选拔和训练，之后将被派往俄罗斯。泽连斯基还提到，韩国在7月份宣布向乌克兰提供1亿美元的援助，但不包括致命性武器。

泽连斯基在8月份表示，最多可以向俄罗斯派遣5万名朝鲜士兵作战。

韩国在7月份宣布了一项向乌克兰提供1亿美元援助的计划，但不包括致命武器。

泽连斯基称乌克兰已将两名被俘的朝鲜士兵移交给韩国，此举导致首尔和基辅关系紧张。

据乌克兰和韩国方面估计，自 2024 年以来，朝鲜已向俄罗斯在乌克兰的战争派遣了约 14,000 至 15,000 名士兵。

根据乌克兰和独立机构的评估，平壤还向俄罗斯提供了火炮和迫击炮弹、弹道导弹、远程火炮系统和多管火箭炮系统。

发布于2026年9月29日 上午7:57（韩国标准时间）

更新于2026年9月29日上午8:08（韩国标准时间）

乌克兰总统泽连斯基周三（当地时间）在纽约联合国总部向联合国大会第81届会议发表讲话。（图片来源：Getty Images，法新社/韩联社）

乌克兰总统泽连斯基周一表示，目前有超过 8000 名朝鲜军队驻扎在俄罗斯境内，并且正在准备部署另外 10000 名士兵。

泽连斯基援引有关朝鲜军队向俄罗斯部署的“新数据”称，他们“正在被挑选出来接受训练，随后将被部署到俄罗斯”。

乌克兰总统在8月份表示，最多可能有5万名朝鲜士兵被派往俄罗斯作战，并呼吁韩国为乌克兰的防空提供支持。

韩国在7月份宣布向乌克兰提供1亿美元的援助计划，但不包括致命武器。

泽连斯基周一发表上述言论之前，首尔和基辅就他上周宣布乌克兰已将两名被俘的朝鲜士兵移交给韩国一事产生了分歧。

首尔方面对他的声明表示遗憾，并指出双方曾达成协议，对此次人员转移保密。韩国还抗议乌克兰总统办公室发表的所谓“虚假声明”，该声明否认存在此类保密协议。

据乌克兰和韩国估计，自 2024 年以来，朝鲜已向俄罗斯在乌克兰的战争派遣了约 14,000 至 15,000 名士兵，其中大部分部署在库尔斯克地区，以帮助击退乌克兰的入侵。

根据乌克兰和独立机构的评估，平壤还向俄罗斯提供了数百万发炮弹和迫击炮弹，以及弹道导弹、远程火炮系统和多管火箭炮系统。