Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Russia has deployed nearly 50,000 troops, including 11,000 North Koreans, to push Ukrainian invaders off Russian soil. The deployment has raised concerns in the West and South Korea about a dangerous escalation of Europe’s bloodiest conflict.

Radio Free Asia logo Opens in new window Opens in new window Opens in new window Opens in new window Opens in new window Opens in new window Opens in new window Opens in new window Opens in new window Ukraine ‘holds back’ 50,000-strong force including North Koreans: Zelenskyy Both Russia and North Korea have formally ratified their June pact that includes a mutual defence clause. By Taejun Kang for RFA 2024.11.11 Social media shares

On Sunday, the New York Times reported, citing US and Ukrainian officials, that the Russian military had collected some 50,000 soldiers, including North Koreans, to mount an offensive to recover land near Kursk. Similarly, CNN claimed an unidentified US official as stating Russia has assembled a “large force of tens of thousands” of troops and North Korean forces to engage in an impending invasion. The Ukrainian president previously stated that North Korean troops battling against Ukrainian forces were suffering fatalities in Kursk. “Currently, 11,000 North Korean soldiers are present on Russian territory near the Ukrainian border, specifically in Kursk Oblast,” he stated during a news briefing at the European Political Community summit in Budapest last Thursday.

Some of these personnel have already participated in combat operations against Ukrainian forces, and there have already been casualties,” he said, without providing any additional information on the number of casualties. The Kremlin has not responded to the presence of North Korean forces on its territory. Russia refuses to answer questions regarding its deployment of North Korean troops at a United Nations Security Council meeting last week.

For years, China was usually regarded as North Korea’s lone major friend, but relations with Russia have recently improved significantly. On June 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a landmark treaty on a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” in Pyongyang following summit talks. The treaty includes a mutual defence assistance clause that applies in the event of “aggression” against either signatory. On Saturday, Russia’s state news agency TASS reported that Putin signed a law ratifying the deal with the North, which includes a mutual defence clause in the case of “aggression” against either party. Putin highlighted on Thursday the potential of Russia and North Korea conducting coordinated military exercises.

According to the Korean Central News Agency, the treaty would take effect the day both parties exchange ratification instruments. North Korea has provided Russia with significant amounts of weapons for its war in Ukraine, including missiles and artillery shells, though both countries deny this.