Jerusalem Post/World News/Russia-Ukraine War"A decision has been made for 30,000 to 50,000 North Koreans to be deployed on the territory of Russia,” Zelensky announced on Sunday. He did not say where he got the estimate. Follow us on GoogleNorth Korean service members march during a military parade on Victory Day, marking the 81st anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in central Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2026.(photo credit: REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov/Pool)ByCORINNE BAUM, REUTERSAUGUST 9, 2026 18:57There are approximately 50,000 North Korean troops waiting for deployment to Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X/Twitter on Saturday.“At first, we were talking about hundreds, then thousands, and now a decision has been made for 30,000 to 50,000 North Koreans to be deployed on the territory of Russia,” he wrote.He did not elaborate how he gained the information.In July, Zelensky said that the Kremlin was seeking 30,000 additional North Korean troops for its war against Ukraine.Since 2024, Pyongyang has provided anywhere between 11,000 and 14,000 troops to assist Moscow.A man photographs parts of an unidentified missile, which Ukrainian authorities believe to be made in North Korea and was used in a strike in Kharkiv earlier this week, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine January 6, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/VYACHESLAV MADIYEVSKYY)North Korea supplies Russia with missiles, artillery launchersThis month, an official at Ukraine's military intelligence told Reuters that a North Korean missile unit has begun deploying to western Russia and could be equipped with 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers for strikes against Ukraine.North Korea has supplied Russia with millions of artillery and mortar rounds, ballistic missiles, long-range artillery and multiple-launch rocket systems, according to Ukrainian and independent assessments.Zelensky also said on Saturday that troops have also found North Korean missiles in Ukrainian territory.“It is absolutely clear that North Korea will continue to build its experience in modern warfare, receive licenses from Russia, and receive all kinds of military tools from them,” he wrote.“They are studying this war. If we are talking about crises and escalation in another region – in the Pacific – which could pose a threat to other Asian countries, then North Korea will certainly gain experience in modern warfare under Russia.”He urged South Korea to cooperate more closely with Ukraine, adding that Kyiv was ready to strike drone deals with the country and that respective diplomats were in contact with each other.This comes as Ukraine is notably short on interceptor missiles to defend itself against Russian ballistic missile attacks.Zelensky said that three people were killed and 37 wounded in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, where a multi-story apartment block was hit, on Sunday.Authorities in Russia's Belgorod said five were killed and 25 wounded by a Ukrainian drone attack.Russia’s Defense Ministry further claimed that Russian forces took control of the villages of Vasyutinske and Toretske in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region on Sunday.Follow us on Google