Zelensky: Russia to Deploy Up to 50,000 North Korean Troops
RastinewsUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said a decision has been made to deploy 30,000 to 50,000 North Korean troops on Russian territory, noting that Pyongyang is gaining modern combat experience from Russia's war. Zelensky also said Moscow has been pulling air defense systems from across the country to protect the capital.
Speaking to the television channel "United News," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia has built a three-layer air defense line around Moscow.
Zelensky said Russia has pulled air defense systems from different regions of the country to build this defensive line around Moscow, adding that a similar, smaller-scale effort is underway for St. Petersburg.
Despite the density of Russia's air defenses, Zelensky said Ukraine will keep developing technologies capable of penetrating them. "No matter how much air defense you have, your ammunition will run out sooner or later. We will keep striking back," he said.
Zelensky said that in response to Russian strikes on Ukraine's logistics lines, Ukraine has carried out its own operations against Russian logistics infrastructure, causing Russia losses of around 1 trillion rubles.
"PUTIN IS PREPARING FOR MOBILIZATION"
Zelensky said Russian President Vladimir Putin needs to "sell" his people a victory but will not achieve one in Ukraine.
Zelensky said Putin would distort the terms that emerged from his summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska, last year. "No one can guarantee this man (Putin) won't go further," he said.
The Ukrainian president also noted that Putin is preparing for a new mobilization.
Zelensky said the Kremlin may try to carry this out without formally declaring mobilization. "Putin is thinking about how to deceive his own people," he said.
"30,000 TO 50,000 NORTH KOREAN TROOPS TO BE DEPLOYED"
Zelensky said North Korea's military support for Russia has also increased.
Zelensky said the Kremlin has decided to deploy between 30,000 and 50,000 North Koreans, adding that North Korean troops are gaining modern combat experience from Russia's war against Ukraine.
"WE AIM TO DEEPEN COOPERATION WITH SOUTH KOREA"
Zelensky said that in response to the military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, Ukraine aims to build closer ties with South Korea.
Zelensky said Ukraine is seeking South Korean support in particular for air defense systems, adding that Ukraine is also ready to cooperate on unmanned aerial vehicles.