On July 25, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Russia is preparing to recruit 30,000 additional soldiers from North Korea to participate in the ongoing war. According to the Ukrainian leader, logistical preparations for receiving these troops have been underway in the Voronezh region since June. Reports also indicate that Pyongyang is preparing to transfer new ballistic missile launch platforms to the Russian Federation.

This cooperation is framed within the existing mutual defense pact signed between the two nations. Historical context provided by reports notes that North Korea previously deployed 14,000 soldiers to support Russian operations in the Kursk region during 2024, following the Ukrainian incursion there. Beyond the deployment of personnel, Russia continues to rely on North Korea for artillery shells and missile supplies.

Zelenskyy warned that the collaboration goes beyond immediate battlefield support, as North Korean forces are gaining direct combat experience and technological expertise. He emphasized that this development poses a significant long-term security threat to the Asian region, as Pyongyang refines its weapon systems through active participation in the conflict.