Zelensky says Russia plans to deploy 30,000 North Korean troops

KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia is preparing to deploy about 30,000 additional North Korean soldiers to the war, with preparations underway in Russia's Voronezh region since June ahead of an August rollout. In remarks reported Sunday, Zelensky said Russia is moving new units to the front under a joint defense agreement signed with North Korea. He added that the preparations are continuing and that additional forces are expected to be sent to the frontline in the coming phase. North Korea previously sent around 14,000 troops to fight alongside Russian forces in the Kursk region after Ukraine's large-scale incursion there in 2024. Ukraine has argued that Russia's use of foreign troops risks altering the course of the conflict and violates international law. No further details on the timeline or deployment schedule were immediately available.