Russia To Send North Korean Troops Into Battle Within Days, Zelenskiy Warns

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has warned that Russia intends to deploy troops from North Korea in combat areas as early as October 27.

He also called for "tangible" international pressure on the two countries to get them to respect UN legislation.

Ukraine's military intelligence service said on October 24 that it had detected the presence of North Korean troops deployed in Russia’s Kursk region, where the first units arrived on October 23.

Ukrainian forces staged a major incursion in August in Kursk, a Russian region bordering Ukraine, and are holding territory there.

Kyiv says this territory is being used as a buffer zone against Russian strikes on Ukraine.

According to intelligence, Zelenskiy said on X on October 25, "the first North Korean soldiers are expected to be deployed by Russia to combat zones as early as October 27-28. He called the move "a clear escalation by Russia."

"The world can clearly see Russia’s true intentions: to continue the war," he said. "This is why a principled and strong response from global leaders is essential."

The United States said on October 23 that 3,000 North Korean troops had been deployed to Russia.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also said on October 23 that evidence of North Korea sending troops to Russia was the "next step" after Pyongyang provided Moscow with arms.

Analysts are still assessing the situation, Austin said, but Pyongyang, which has denied the accusations, could face consequences for aiding Russia directly.

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Asked about whether any North Korean troops were in Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin neither confirmed nor denied the claim.

When asked about satellite photos of troops at a news conference after a summit in Russia's Kazan, Putin said, "images are a serious thing, if there are images, then they reflect something."

Meanwhile, Russian strikes killed two people and wounded six in two areas of Ukraine, regional officials said early on October 25.

In the eastern Donetsk region, Russian troops struck a post office, killing two people and wounding a third, regional Governor Vadym Filashkin reported.

"The Russians have once again launched a deliberate attack on a civilian facility -- a post office -- and have also damaged administrative buildings," Filashkin said.

In the southern region of Kherson, heavy Russian shelling of 27 localities, including Kherson city, wounded five civilians, regional Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported on Telegram.

"The Russian military targeted critical infrastructure, cell towers, and residential areas," Prokudin said.