Zelenskyy: Up to 50,000 North Korean Troops to Deploy in Russia

On August 9, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that between 30,000 and 50,000 North Korean troops will be deployed in Russia to support its war effort. He made the announcement amid ongoing hostilities, highlighting the scale of foreign military involvement. In related remarks, Zelenskyy also addressed Ukraine's defense production, noting that Patriot missile production is delayed by bureaucracy and that a Ukrainian ballistic missile is expected to see combat this fall. These statements come as Ukraine continues to face heavy aerial strikes, the extent of which Zelenskyy detailed.