Ukrainian President Volodymyr ⁠Zelensky on Saturday said up ​to 50,000 North Korean soldiers will be deployed in Russia to fight for Pyongyang's ally, while ​calling on South Korea to provide support for Ukraine's air defence. Zelensky said on X on Saturday that "a decision has been made for 30,000 to 50,000 North Koreans to be deployed on the territory of ​Russia", a ‌higher figure than his estimate of 30,000 in July. He did ⁠not elaborate on how he obtained the information. He said Kyiv had found some North Korean missiles in Ukraine's territory, without disclosing their ‌locations. "It is absolutely clear that North Korea will continue to build its experience ⁠in modern warfare, receive licences from Russia, and receive all kinds of military tools from them," he said. Urging Seoul to have closer cooperation with Kyiv, Zelensky said that Ukraine "would ​very much like to receive support from South Korea in an area ‌where we have a shortage", referring to its air defence systems. "We are ready to work on the Drone Deal and other areas as well," he said, adding that Ukrainian diplomats "are in contact" with Seoul ‌to push potential deals.

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