Zelenskyy: Russia Preparing to Deploy Additional North Korean Troops, Received More Ballistic Missiles

▲ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on the 10th (local time) that Russia is preparing to deploy additional North Korean troops to its territory.

According to the Office of the President of Ukraine, President Zelenskyy made the remarks during his national address that day, stating, "Russia, failing to secure a safe rear, can no longer wage war without North Korean troop reinforcements."

He also claimed, "Russia has received additional ballistic missiles from North Korea," adding, "North Korea's ballistic missiles and other weapons are being improved through cooperation with Russia."

The scale of North Korean troop support identified by Ukrainian intelligence authorities continues to grow.

The previous day, President Zelenskyy stated that up to 50,000 North Korean troops would be deployed to Russian territory, significantly exceeding the previous estimate of 30,000.

President Zelenskyy expressed concern, saying, "The more North Korean missiles and troops are used, and the more North Korea compensates for its lack of experience, the greater the risks facing other countries in the region, such as Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines."

He emphasized that demanding air defense support from allies and partners means "we must crush North Korea's desire and interest in coming to our land and airspace to learn warfare."

President Zelenskyy noted, "Today, the Ukrainian military struck a refinery in Tobolsk, Siberia, more than 2,500 kilometers away," emphasizing that "this region is now also within our strike range."

Overnight, Nizhnekamsk in the Republic of Tatarstan was also targeted by a Ukrainian drone strike, leaving 13 people dead, including children, and 75 others injured.

Ukraine has recently been intensifying attacks on civilian distribution networks as well as rear Russian cities.

The strategy is to heighten Russians' awareness of the war and pressure Vladimir Putin's regime ahead of the general elections in September.

President Zelenskyy emphasized, "We have secured internal Russian polling data, and the number of people in Russia who want the war to end is already growing," adding, "We must ensure that Putin and Federal Security Service (FSB) agents alike understand that there is no alternative to peace."

(Photo: Getty Images)

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