Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has alleged that North Korea is deploying its citizens to assist Russia’s military operations in Ukraine, heightening concerns over the growing cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. In his Sunday video address, Zelensky stated, “We are witnessing an expanding alliance between Russia and regimes like North Korea. This is no longer limited to weapon transfers; it now involves sending North Korean personnel to join the occupying forces.” The statement comes amid strengthening ties between Russia and North Korea. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang in June, marking the first trip of its kind in over 20 years, which sparked speculation on North Korea’s involvement in Russia’s military activities in Ukraine. Zelensky emphasized the need for bolstered support from Ukraine’s allies, urging Western nations to provide Kyiv with long-range missiles to counter threats from Russian-held territories. “Given these developments, strengthening our relations with partners and boosting support on the frontline is crucial,” he said. A Ukrainian intelligence source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, reported that a small contingent of North Koreans has been collaborating with Russian forces, primarily in engineering roles and sharing information on North Korean munitions. The source also noted that some North Korean personnel were recently killed in eastern Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied the allegations, dismissing them as “another hoax.” However, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service stated last week that it is closely monitoring the situation and considers the claims credible. During a recent parliamentary session, Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun remarked, “Given the circumstances, it is highly likely that reports of North Korean casualties in Ukraine are accurate.” He further warned of the possibility of a larger deployment, suggesting that Russia and North Korea might have established a near-military alliance. “We are preparing for this potential scenario,” Kim added. Both nations have repeatedly faced accusations of arms transfers to support Russia’s conflict in Ukraine, charges they have consistently denied despite mounting evidence. Since Russia’s invasion, the two countries, often ostracized by the West, have developed closer ties. During Putin’s visit to North Korea, both leaders pledged mutual military support in case of external threats, formalizing this in a defense agreement. Putin described the relationship as advancing to a “new level,” while North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expressed his “full support and solidarity” with Russia, specifically highlighting Moscow’s actions in Ukraine as efforts to safeguard “sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.”
