Reported by:
Cherry Meigh Timbol
News Content Editor
Published August 11, 2026
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is warning that Russia is preparing to receive additional North Korean troops and has already obtained more ballistic missiles from Pyongyang, as Ukraine expands long-range attacks against Russian military and industrial targets.
In his latest remarks, Zelenskyy said Russia is increasingly dependent on North Korean military support and argued that Moscow’s reliance on Pyongyang demonstrates the growing importance of foreign assistance to the Russian war effort.
The warning comes as Ukraine claims its drones are reaching targets thousands of kilometers inside Russia, while Russian forces continue launching missiles, drones and guided bombs against Ukrainian cities.
🇺🇦 Zelenskyy warns of additional North Korean troops
Zelenskyy said Russia is preparing to host another contingent of North Korean soldiers.
Earlier, he had warned that between 30,000 and 50,000 North Korean troops could eventually be deployed on Russian territory, although Ukrainian officials have not publicly provided details establishing when or how such a deployment would occur.
The Ukrainian president has argued that North Korean involvement represents more than an immediate battlefield issue.
North Korean troops have already gained combat experience alongside Russian forces.
Pyongyang has supplied Moscow with ammunition, weapons and ballistic missiles.
Ukraine says North Korean military personnel have previously participated in fighting in the Kursk region.
Zelenskyy has warned that battlefield experience gained in Ukraine could eventually strengthen North Korea’s military capabilities.
,: Zelenskyy is portraying the expanding Russia-North Korea military relationship as a threat extending beyond the Ukraine war.
🚀 Additional North Korean Ballistic missiles
Zelenskyy also said Russia has received additional ballistic missiles from North Korea.
Ukraine has previously identified Russian use of North Korean KN-23 and KN-24 ballistic missiles against Ukrainian targets.
Ukrainian intelligence has also reported that a North Korean ballistic-missile unit established positions in Russia’s Voronezh region, with estimates involving six launchers and up to 120 missiles.
The growing missile relationship is particularly significant because North Korean weapons are being used in an active modern war, giving Pyongyang an opportunity to observe battlefield performance and potentially improve its systems.
POSITION: Expanding missile cooperation could strengthen Russia’s strike capabilities while providing North Korea with valuable operational experience.
🎯 Ukrain expands deep strikes inside Russia
Zelenskyy’s warning comes as Ukraine continues expanding its ability to strike targets deep inside Russian territory.
Ukrainian officials said recent drone operations have reached targets more than 2,000 kilometers from Ukraine, including Russian industrial and energy facilities.
Zelenskyy has described the expansion of deep strikes as a way to increase the cost of Russia’s war effort and challenge what he called Russia’s previously secure strategic rear.
The latest attacks have reportedly targeted oil and industrial infrastructure, demonstrating Kyiv’s growing emphasis on long-range unmanned systems.
POSITION: Ukraine is increasingly using deep-strike capabilities to disrupt Russian military and economic infrastructure far from the front lines.
🇷🇺 Russia faces growing dependence on Foreign Military Support
Zelenskyy argued that Russia’s reliance on North Korean troops and weapons shows Moscow is facing increasing demands on its own military resources.
North Korea has become an important foreign supplier to Russia, providing ammunition, heavy weapons and ballistic missiles.
North Korean troops have also fought alongside Russian forces, particularly during operations in the Kursk region.
At the same time, Russia continues expanding its domestic missile production and conducting large-scale aerial attacks against Ukrainian cities.
POSITION: Russia’s growing use of North Korean military resources indicates that the conflict is increasingly connected to a broader network of international military partnerships.
🌏 Zelenskyy appeals to Asian Nations
Zelenskyy has also warned that the consequences of North Korea’s military cooperation with Russia could eventually extend to Asia.
He specifically pointed to Japan, South Korea and the Philippines, arguing that North Korean weapons could become more capable as they are tested and refined through cooperation with Russia.
Zelenskyy has urged South Korea and Japan to strengthen support for Ukraine’s air defenses, presenting assistance to Kyiv as part of a broader effort to limit Pyongyang’s military development.
POSITION: Ukraine is attempting to frame the Russia-North Korea partnership as a wider Indo-Pacific security concern rather than solely a European issue.
⚠️ Civilian and Military risks continue to rise
The warnings about North Korean support come amid continued Russian aerial attacks across Ukraine.
A Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia killed five people and injured about 20 others, according to Ukrainian regional authorities, while Russian officials reported casualties from Ukrainian drone attacks inside Russia.
The parallel expansion of Russian missile attacks and Ukrainian deep-strike operations is increasing the geographic reach of the conflict.
POSITION: The continued use of long-range weapons by both sides is increasing risks to civilians and infrastructure while making the conflict increasingly difficult to contain geographically.
👥 Public / Political Reactions:
🇺🇦 Ukrainian Government Officials
Ukrainian officials have warned that Russia’s expanding military cooperation with North Korea could significantly strengthen Moscow’s ability to sustain the war.
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is preparing to receive additional North Korean troops and missiles.
- Zelenskyy warned that North Korea is gaining valuable experience in modern warfare through its involvement in the conflict.
- Ukrainian officials have highlighted the reported presence of North Korean ballistic missiles and military personnel in Russia.
- Kyiv has urged international partners, particularly countries in Asia, to recognize the broader security implications of the Russia-North Korea partnership.
Position: Ukraine is calling for stronger international support and greater attention to the expanding military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang.
🇰🇷 South Korean Officials and Security Concerns
South Korea is increasingly concerned that Russia could provide North Korea with military knowledge and technology in exchange for troops and weapons.
- Seoul has been closely monitoring North Korean military participation in Russia’s war.
- Ukrainian officials have called on South Korea to provide additional air-defense assistance.
- The growing Russia-North Korea relationship has raised concerns about North Korea gaining battlefield experience and improving its military capabilities.
Position: South Korea faces growing security concerns over the possibility that North Korea could emerge from the Ukraine war with greater military experience and capabilities.
🇷🇺 Russian Authorities
Russia has continued its military campaign against Ukraine while deepening its strategic partnership with North Korea.
- Moscow and Pyongyang have expanded military cooperation under their strategic partnership.
- Russia has received North Korean ammunition and ballistic missiles, while North Korean personnel have participated in the conflict.
- Ukraine’s claims about additional North Korean troops and missiles add to concerns over increasingly close military ties between the two countries.
Position: Russia continues to rely on its military partnership with North Korea while maintaining its campaign against Ukraine.
🇰🇵 North Korean Government
North Korea’s involvement in the war has become an increasingly important part of its military relationship with Russia.
- North Korean troops have already participated alongside Russian forces.
- Pyongyang has supplied Russia with military equipment and ballistic missiles.
- Ukraine argues that North Korea is using the conflict to gain experience with modern warfare and military technology.
Position: North Korea’s expanding military cooperation with Russia is increasing Pyongyang’s exposure to modern battlefield operations while strengthening its strategic relationship with Moscow.
🌍 International Community
The reported expansion of Russia-North Korea military cooperation is generating wider international concern.
- Additional North Korean troops could increase Russia’s available manpower.
- North Korean ballistic missiles could add further pressure on Ukraine’s air-defense systems.
- The partnership raises concerns that military technology and battlefield experience could flow between Russia and North Korea.
Position: International concern is increasingly focused on preventing the Ukraine conflict from strengthening North Korea’s military capabilities and expanding the war’s geopolitical consequences.
🛡️ Security and Military Analysts
Security analysts are focused on the strategic consequences of North Korean troops and missiles becoming more deeply integrated into Russia’s war effort.
- North Korean ballistic missiles could place additional pressure on Ukraine’s air-defense systems.
- North Korean troops could gain further experience in modern combat.
- Russia could use additional foreign manpower and weapons to sustain its military campaign.
- Ukraine’s expanding deep-strike operations are simultaneously increasing pressure on Russian military and industrial infrastructure.
Position: Analysts warn that deeper Russia-North Korea military cooperation could extend the conflict’s strategic impact well beyond Ukraine and increase security concerns across Europe and Asia.
⚠️ Resulting Effects:
The reported expansion of Russia’s military cooperation with North Korea could have significant military, strategic, and geopolitical consequences. Additional North Korean troops and ballistic missiles could strengthen Russia’s ability to sustain its war effort while giving Pyongyang further battlefield experience.
1. Increased Russian Military Manpower
Russia could gain additional personnel as North Korea reportedly prepares to send more troops.
👥 Additional North Korean forces could supplement Russian manpower.
⚔️ North Korean troops could be used in combat or support roles.
🇷🇺 Additional personnel could allow Russia to sustain pressure on Ukrainian forces.
➡️ Result: More North Korean troops → greater Russian manpower and operational capacity.
2. Greater Missile Pressure on Ukraine
Additional North Korean ballistic missiles could increase the number of weapons available to Russian forces.
🚀 Russia could use additional missiles against Ukrainian targets.
🛡️ Ukraine’s air-defense systems could face greater pressure.
🏙️ Major Ukrainian cities and infrastructure could remain vulnerable to long-range attacks.
➡️ Result: Additional ballistic missiles → increased pressure on Ukrainian air defenses and civilian infrastructure.
3. North Korea Gains Battlefield Experience
The war is providing North Korean personnel with exposure to modern combat.
🎯 North Korean forces can observe drone and missile warfare.
⚔️ Troops can gain experience operating alongside Russian forces.
📡 Pyongyang could learn from Russia’s battlefield tactics and technologies.
➡️ Result: Direct combat experience → potential improvement in North Korea’s military capabilities.
4. Stronger Russia-North Korea Military Partnership
The continued exchange of troops and weapons could deepen the strategic relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang.
🇷🇺 Russia gains additional military resources.
🇰🇵 North Korea gains battlefield experience and potentially greater access to Russian military expertise.
🤝 Cooperation could expand beyond the immediate needs of the Ukraine war.
➡️ Result: Expanding military cooperation → stronger strategic ties between Russia and North Korea.
5. Increased Pressure on Ukraine
Ukraine could face additional challenges as Russia receives more foreign military support.
⚠️ Ukrainian forces may have to defend against additional missiles and personnel.
🛡️ Demand for air-defense systems and interceptors could increase.
💰 Ukraine could require additional Western military assistance.
➡️ Result: Increased Russian resources → greater pressure on Ukraine’s military defenses.
6. Wider Security Concerns in Asia
The consequences could extend beyond the European battlefield.
🇰🇷 South Korea faces concerns over North Korea gaining combat experience.
🇯🇵 Japan could face additional security concerns from North Korea’s expanding military capabilities.
🌏 Regional governments may closely monitor the Russia-North Korea relationship.
➡️ Result: North Korean battlefield experience → increased security concerns across East Asia.
7. Expansion of Long-Range Warfare
The Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to demonstrate the growing importance of missiles and drones.
🚀 Russia continues using long-range weapons against Ukraine.
🛰️ Ukraine is expanding its own deep-strike capabilities.
🎯 Military and industrial targets increasingly lie far from the front lines.
➡️ Result: Expanding long-range warfare → greater geographic reach and strategic impact.
8. Increased International Pressure
The deeper involvement of North Korea could increase pressure on governments supporting Ukraine.
🌍 Western governments may consider additional military assistance for Kyiv.
🇺🇦 Ukraine could seek stronger air-defense and long-range capabilities.
⚠️ Further North Korean involvement could trigger additional diplomatic and economic pressure.
➡️ Result: Expanding foreign involvement → greater international pressure and a more complicated geopolitical conflict.
🔮 Future Outlook:
The reported expansion of Russia’s military cooperation with North Korea suggests that the Ukraine war could become increasingly internationalized. Additional North Korean troops and missiles could strengthen Russia’s war effort while giving Pyongyang further battlefield experience and potentially increasing security concerns across Europe and Asia.
1. More North Korean Troops Could Arrive in Russia
North Korea may continue providing personnel to support Russia’s military operations.
👥 Additional troops could be deployed to areas where Russia needs manpower.
⚔️ North Korean forces could take on combat or support responsibilities.
🇷🇺 Russia could become increasingly reliant on foreign personnel to sustain its operations.
➡️ Outlook: More North Korean deployments → increased Russian manpower and deeper military cooperation.
2. Continued Supply of North Korean Missiles
North Korea could continue supplying Russia with ballistic missiles and other military equipment.
🚀 Additional missiles could be used against Ukrainian targets.
🛡️ Ukraine may need more air-defense interceptors.
⚠️ Larger missile attacks could increase risks to Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
➡️ Outlook: Continued weapons transfers → greater pressure on Ukraine’s air-defense network.
3. Ukraine Will Expand Deep-Strike Operations
Ukraine is likely to continue using long-range drones to target Russian military and industrial infrastructure.
🎯 Russian ammunition, fuel, defense and industrial facilities could remain targets.
🛰️ Ukraine may continue developing drones capable of reaching deeper into Russian territory.
💥 Russia could respond with additional missile and drone attacks against Ukraine.
➡️ Outlook: Expanding deep strikes → wider geographic reach of the conflict.
4. North Korea Could Gain More Modern Combat Experience
Continued participation in the war could provide North Korean forces with additional battlefield knowledge.
⚔️ Troops could gain experience from operating alongside Russian forces.
🤖 North Korea could study modern drone warfare.
🚀 Missile operations could provide additional information about battlefield performance.
➡️ Outlook: Continued battlefield involvement → potential improvement in North Korea’s military capabilities.
5. Greater Security Concerns for South Korea and Japan
The Russia-North Korea partnership could increasingly affect the security environment in East Asia.
🇰🇷 South Korea may strengthen monitoring of North Korean military developments.
🇯🇵 Japan could increase attention to missile and military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang.
🌏 Regional governments could seek stronger defense cooperation.
➡️ Outlook: Deeper Russia-North Korea ties → increased security concerns across East Asia.
6. More Pressure on Ukraine’s Western Allies
Ukraine is likely to seek additional military assistance as Russian capabilities expand.
🛡️ Kyiv could request additional air-defense systems and interceptors.
🚀 Ukraine may seek greater access to long-range weapons.
💰 Western governments could face increased pressure to provide financial and military support.
➡️ Outlook: Expanded Russian capabilities → greater demands for Western support.
7. Risk of a Broader Internationalized Conflict
The involvement of North Korea increases the number of countries directly connected to the war.
🇷🇺 Russia is strengthening military ties with Pyongyang.
🇰🇵 North Korea is gaining experience and supplying military resources.
🇺🇦 Ukraine is seeking greater support from Western and Asian partners.
➡️ Outlook: More foreign involvement → increasingly international consequences for the Ukraine war.
8. Uncertain Path to Resolution
The growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea could make a quick end to the conflict more difficult.
⚔️ Both Russia and Ukraine continue expanding their military capabilities.
🇰🇵 North Korean support could help Russia sustain its operations.
⏳ Continued foreign military assistance could prolong the conflict.
➡️ Outlook: Expanding military partnerships → continued uncertainty over the timing of a lasting settlement.
🧩 Bottom Line:
The reported expansion of Russia’s military cooperation with North Korea could significantly affect the trajectory of the Ukraine war and create wider security concerns beyond Europe. Additional North Korean troops and ballistic missiles could provide Moscow with more manpower and weapons while giving Pyongyang valuable experience from modern combat.
🇺🇦 For Ukraine, the arrival of additional North Korean troops and missiles could increase pressure on Ukrainian forces and further strain air-defense systems.
🇷🇺 For Russia, North Korean military support could help sustain its operations and provide additional manpower and weapons as the war continues.
🇰🇵 For North Korea, involvement in the conflict could provide battlefield experience and potentially strengthen its military capabilities through cooperation with Russia.
🇰🇷 For South Korea and Japan, deeper Russia-North Korea military ties could create additional security concerns, particularly if Pyongyang gains new operational knowledge or military technology.
🌍 For the international community, the growing partnership could further internationalize the Ukraine war and increase pressure on governments to respond to the transfer of troops, missiles, and military expertise.
⚠️ Bottom Line: Russia’s expanding military partnership with North Korea could give Moscow additional resources while giving Pyongyang valuable battlefield experience. If the flow of North Korean troops and weapons continues, the Ukraine war could become increasingly internationalized, with security consequences extending from Europe to East Asia.
SOURCES: THE UK INDEPENDENT – Zelensky mocks Putin’s reliance on North Korea after deadly strike deep inside Russia
THE KYIV POST – Zelensky: For First Time, Russia Cannot Wage War Without North Korea
THE HK STANDARD – Zelensky says Russia readying more N. Korean troops, missiles
