Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed on the 28th (local time) that there are currently more than 8,000 North Korean troops on Russian territory, and in return, North Korea is producing attack drones with technical support from Russia.

According to the Office of the President of Ukraine, President Zelensky stated in a national address that afternoon, “There are more than 8,000 North Korean soldiers on Russian territory, and preparations are underway to deploy an additional 10,000 troops.”

He went on to claim, “Russia is providing technology and other support in exchange for North Korean troop deployment,” adding, “Shahed-type attack drones are being produced on North Korean territory with Russia's technical support.”

President Zelensky emphasized, “This is how evil spreads, and how threats to life propagate to other regions,” stating, “We can overcome this only by responding together.”

During the address, President Zelensky did not mention the repatriation of North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea.

Previously, President Zelensky revealed the repatriation of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea during the UN General Assembly held in New York on the 23rd. Controversy arose afterward as differing stances emerged over whether there had been a private agreement between South Korea and Ukraine.

The Ukrainian side continues to reiterate its stance that the combat experience of North Korean troops could pose a threat to peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, also posted on social media that day, quoting a Newsfirst interview article regarding North Korean troops participating in the war in Ukraine on the side of Russia, emphasizing, “North Korea is learning and arming itself in our war.”

He further claimed, “Above all, to prepare for active combat in its own region.”

Chief of Staff Budanov also noted, “Very recently, another incident occurred along the Military Demarcation Line between South Korea and North Korea,” adding, “The situation is worsening day by day.”

He added, “It is only a matter of time before an incident occurs that could lead to uncontrollable consequences.”

The incident he mentioned appears to refer to the recent landmine-presumed explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). During a DMZ search operation by a frontline unit of the Army’s 25th Infantry Division guarding the western front on the 21st, an accident presumed to be a landmine explosion occurred, leaving three South Korean military officers with moderate to severe injuries.

The South Korean military stated that there is a very high possibility the cause of the explosion was a North Korean landmine, and that if it is finally determined to be a landmine planted by North Korea, corresponding measures will be taken.

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