Zelenskyy: Over 8,000 North Korean troops in Russia, 10,000 more being prepared

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said more than 8,000 North Korean troops are in Russia and about 10,000 more are being prepared for deployment, adding that Russia has effectively begun an additional mobilization.

RuskiGazeta Editorial DeskSeptember 28, 2026, 10:39 PMUpdated: September 29, 2026, 12:07 PM

Zelenskyy: Over 8,000 North Korean troops in Russia, 10,000 more being prepared

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his evening video address on Sept. 28, citing Ukrainian military intelligence, that more than 8,000 North Korean troops are currently on Russian territory. Another contingent of about 10,000 people is being selected for training and subsequent deployment to Russia, he said.

North Korean troops at the welcome ceremony in Pyongyang (file, 2024)

Zelenskyy said Russia has effectively begun an additional mobilization, stepping up recruitment into its armed forces and planning to expand the involvement of foreign nationals. “It is important that the governments of the countries from which Russia recruits people into its army counter this,” he said. He added that production of Shahed-type attack drones has been launched in North Korea with Russian technical support.

Zelenskyy speaks at the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara

Talks between the Russian and North Korean delegations (file, 2024)

Zelenskyy called for “effective global sanctions against Russia” and asked partners to help Ukraine with “concrete packages and concrete decisions.” In August, he warned that Russia could receive up to 50,000 North Korean troops.

On Aug. 27, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) and Foreign Intelligence Service said Russia was considering additional mobilization plans for 2026 and 2027 that could call up as many as 300,000 people each year. The Kremlin denies this: spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sept. 18 that there were no plans to mobilize 300,000 people, and President Vladimir Putin said there was no scenario requiring mobilization under current conditions, adding that the army is being replenished with contract soldiers.

On August 27, Ukraine’s military intelligence and Foreign Intelligence Service said Russia was considering additional mobilization plans of 300,000 people a year for 2026 and 2027. The Kremlin has denied this: spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on September 18 there were no plans to mobilize 300,000 people, and Vladimir Putin said there was no scenario requiring mobilization and that the army is being staffed by contract soldiers.

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