The President Says Russia Will Deploy North Korean Troops To The Battlefield On October 27-28

JAKARTA - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday Russia plans to deploy North Korean troops to the battlefield from 27-28 October, citing intelligence reports.

"According to intelligence, the first North Korean army is expected to be deployed by Russia into the fastest combat zone on October 27-28. This is a clear escalation by Russia," President Zelensky said in X after receiving a report from his top commander.

President Zelensky did not say to the frontline sector where North Korean troops were expected to be delivered or provide other details.

Earlier, Ukrainian military intelligence said on Thursday the first North Korean unit had been listed in Russia's Kursk border area, where the Ukrainian military has been operating since launching a major offensive in August.

About 12,000 North Korean soldiers, including 500 officers and three generals, are already in Russia and training is underway at five military bases, he said.

The United States said it had seen evidence of North Korean troops in Russia, while South Korean lawmakers said some 3,000 troops had been dispatched to support the Kremlin's war in Ukraine, and many more would be sent.

Separately, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday it was Moscow's business to implement a partnership agreement with Pyongyang which he said included reciprocal aid clauses for each side to help other parties ward off external aggression.

President Putin has not denied that North Korean troops are in Russia.

"This is our business," he said.

Western allies say Ukraine's involvement in the Ukraine conflict will be a major escalation. President Zelensky said it was not enough.

"North Korea's true involvement in combat should not be responded to with uncertain indifference or comments, but with real pressure on Moscow and Pyongyang," he added.