Zelensky warns 30,000 North Korean soldiers about to join Ukraine war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that up to 30,000 North Korean troops are preparing to join Russian forces on the battlefield, marking a potential major escalation in the war. Speaking at a security conference, Zelensky said intelligence indicates the soldiers are completing training and could deploy within weeks. The claim, if true, would dramatically expand the conflict's international dimension, bringing a third country's army directly into combat for the first time. Western officials have yet to confirm the numbers, but they acknowledge growing military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang. North Korea has denied sending troops, though it has supplied artillery shells and missiles to Russia. The warning comes as Ukraine faces mounting pressure on the front lines and uncertainty over continued Western aid. Zelensky urged allies to act quickly, describing the situation as a 'global security threat' that cannot be ignored. Military analysts say even a smaller North Korean contingent could relieve Russian manpower shortages and complicate Kyiv's defensive operations. The development also raises concerns about a wider regional conflict, with South Korea and Japan closely monitoring Pyongyang's moves.