Zelenskyy Says Russia Is Preparing to Deploy North Korean Troops in Voronezh, Near the Ukrainian Border

[Financial News]  

North Korea appears to have agreed to provide Russia with new ballistic missile launchers and send additional troops.
In a post on social media X on the 25th local time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia was preparing to deploy North Korean troops in Voronezh, a border region.
Zelenskyy said, "Russia wants an additional 30,000 troops from North Korea," adding, "Preparations have been under way since June to accommodate them in the Voronezh region of Russia."
He also claimed that "North Korea is preparing to deploy additional ballistic missile launchers to Russia" and that "this is not only a threat to Ukraine."
He emphasized that "Russia is helping North Korea learn how to wage war, improve its weapons, and gain combat experience," warning of a threat to Asian countries within range of North Korean missiles.
Earlier, Zelenskyy warned the previous day that Russia would launch a new "large-scale" attack on Ukraine.
In a post on social media X, he said Russia had "finished preparing its missiles" and would launch the attack "within 48 hours."
Kyiv came under Russian missile attack on the same day. At least 10 people were killed and more than 100 were injured. The missile reportedly struck a defense exhibition hall attended by representatives of Ukraine's defense industry.
Zelenskyy confirmed on the 25th that, in retaliation, Ukraine had attacked weapons facilities in Kirov, oil refining equipment in Tyumen, logistics facilities in Yekaterinburg, and fuel and lubricant depots in Rostov-on-Don that night.
Meanwhile, North Korea and Russia are growing closer at a rapid pace.
The two countries signed a treaty on alliance during a summit between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin in Pyongyang on June 19, 2024.
North Korea is believed to have sent about 20,000 troops, including combat soldiers and engineers, to the Kursk region in four separate deployments since October 2024. Reports also said that 14,000 were stationed there as of earlier this year.
On the 18th, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui paid an official visit to Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on the 19th that Putin once again expressed gratitude to North Korea's leadership for helping with the war in Ukraine.
[email protected] Song Kyung-jae Reporter