Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Russia has already begun additional mobilization / More than 8,000 North Korean soldiers are currently on Russian territory, and preparations are underway to deploy another 10,000 troops

More than 8,000 North Korean soldiers are already on Russian territory, while another 10,000 have been selected for training and possible deployment to the front, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday, citing new information provided by intelligence services.

In a message posted on the X platform, the leader in Kyiv said that Russia had begun an “additional mobilization” and was trying to expand its recruitment of foreign citizens. According to Zelenskyy, North Korean troops are being trained in Russia for subsequent deployment to the war zone.

The Ukrainian president claimed that Moscow’s support for Pyongyang includes military technology. He said that production of Shahed-type attack drones had begun in North Korea, with Russian technical assistance. The information has not been independently confirmed.

In this context, Russia is also increasing its defense spending. Moscow intends to allocate 17.1 trillion rubles in 2027, 27% more than the amount initially planned, while cumulative military spending for the next three years is expected to exceed 50 trillion rubles.