Kyiv, Oct 25 (EFE).- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said North Korean soldiers, currently being trained in Russia, are set to be deployed alongside Russian forces within two days, marking a significant escalation in the conflict.<\/p>
“According to intelligence information, the first North Korean soldiers will be deployed by Russia to combat zones on Oct. 27 or 28,” Zelenskyy said after a meeting with his military and security leadership.<\/p>
He described the anticipated deployment as \u201can obvious escalation\u201d by Russia.<\/p>
\u201cThe world must clearly see what Russia really wants, which is to continue the war,” he said in a report of the meeting published on his Telegram channel.<\/p>
Zelensky also called for a \u201cstrong response\u201d from the international community. \u201cNorth Korea\u2019s entry into combat operations should not be met with blind eyes and vague comments but with tangible pressure on both Moscow and Pyongyang to respect the UN Charter and to penalize this escalation.\u201d<\/p>
Both the United States and South Korea have confirmed that around 3,000 North Korean soldiers are currently training in Russia to assist the Russian military. According to Seoul’s intelligence, North Korea plans to contribute up to 12,000 troops to the Russian war effort.<\/p>
Ukrainian sources indicate they have evidence of North Korean soldiers being moved from the Russian Far East, where they have reportedly begun training, to western Russia, from where they are expected to join the Kremlin’s troops fighting against Ukraine.<\/p>
According to sources in Kyiv, the Kursk Oblast\u2014partially controlled by Ukrainian troops\u2014is the designated location for the first contingent of North Korean soldiers to join the Russian Army. EFE<\/p>
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