# Zelensky Says 8,000 North Korean Troops Are in Russia as Moscow Helps Pyongyang Build Shahed-Type Drones

*Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at 6:14 AM UTC — Hamer Intelligence Services Desk*

**Published**: 2026-09-29T06:14:30.845Z (1h ago)
**Category**: geopolitics | **Region**: Eastern Europe
**Importance**: 9/10
**Sources**: OSINT
**Permalink**: https://hamerintel.com/data/articles/19133.md
**Source**: https://hamerintel.com/summaries

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**Deck**: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says more than 8,000 North Korean military personnel are already in Russia, with another 10,000 being prepared for deployment, and that Moscow is helping North Korea produce Shahed-type attack drones in return.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says new information points to a deeper war partnership between Russia and North Korea, involving both troops and weapons technology.

According to Zelensky, more than 8,000 North Korean military personnel are currently in Russia. He says another 10,000 are undergoing selection and training for subsequent deployment.

In return, Zelensky claims, Russia is providing technology that has enabled North Korea to establish production of Shahed-type attack drones. These loitering munitions, originally supplied by Iran to Russia, have been used repeatedly against Ukrainian targets.

The figures and technical details come from Zelensky’s public statement. He did not provide documents or visual evidence, and there has been no independent public confirmation of the troop numbers or the scope of the drone program.

If borne out, his account would describe a significant transfer of manpower to Russia’s side of the war and a parallel transfer of drone technology to North Korea.

Key signals to watch include satellite imagery or battlefield footage that might indicate organized North Korean units in Russia, and signs that North Korea is beginning serial production of Shahed-type drones, such as identifiable debris in future tests or launches reported in the region.