Russia Plans to Recruit 30,000 North Korean Troops for Ukraine War

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia is preparing to bring in 30,000 North Korean troops to support its war effort in Ukraine. This claim was reported by multiple news outlets on July 25, 2026. Zelenskyy warned that the move could escalate the conflict significantly. The alleged recruitment would mark a major increase in foreign troop involvement in the war.