Zelensky Says 8,000 North Korean Troops Already in Russia as Drone Tech Goes to Pyongyang
Ukraine’s president says more than 8,000 North Korean soldiers are already in Russia, with another 10,000 being prepared for deployment, in exchange for Russian help building Shahed‑type attack drones in North Korea.
Ukraine is warning that new foreign troops and weapons technology are feeding Russia’s war effort, with President Volodymyr Zelensky claiming North Korea is now directly involved on both fronts.
Zelensky said his government has “new information” that more than 8,000 North Korean military personnel are currently in Russia, and that another 10,000 are undergoing selection and training for later deployment. He did not specify their locations, roles or chain of command, and the figures have not been independently verified.
According to Zelensky, the deployment is part of a broader exchange. He said Russia is providing technology and technical assistance that has allowed North Korea to establish domestic production of Shahed‑type attack drones, the loitering munitions Russia has used repeatedly against Ukrainian targets.
If Zelensky’s account is accurate, Ukrainian forces could eventually face organized North Korean units alongside Russian troops. For Moscow, such personnel would help ease pressure on its own manpower, while the technology transfer would expand Pyongyang’s capacity to produce modern attack drones.
The drone element runs in the opposite direction. Shahed‑style systems have become a core tool in Russia’s long‑range campaign, used to strike energy, logistics and urban infrastructure far from the front line. Know‑how on airframes, engines, guidance and production would give North Korea a more advanced strike capability and a potential export item.
For civilians in Ukraine, the impact of this alleged deal would be measured in more drones in the sky and more infantry on the ground, prolonging attacks on power, communications and housing. For governments watching North Korea, it would underscore how sanctions‑hit states can trade manpower and munitions with Russia in return for access to military technology.
The next signs to watch are any open‑source evidence of unusual foreign troop deployments inside Russia, official comments from Moscow or Pyongyang on the reported arrangement, and whether states concerned about North Korea’s arsenal move to tighten sanctions or adjust their force posture in response.
Sources
- OSINT