“The coalition of criminals together with Putin currently includes North Korea – the Kim family, which enslaves more than 20 million Korean people. Our intelligence records not only the transfer of weapons from North Korea to Russia, but also the transfer of people.” Zelenskyy said as he presented his so-called victory plan to the Ukrainian parliament.

“These are workers for Russian factories – instead of Russians who died in the war. And personnel for the Russian army. This is the participation of the second state on the side of Russia in the war against Ukraine,” Zelenskyy added.

The Kiev Independent, citing an anonymous Western official, reported that Pyongyang has actually sent 10,000 soldiers to Russia so far to boost its war effort in Ukraine.

Ukraine has previously said North Korea has been supplying Russia with missiles and ammunition since early 2024 as Moscow’s forces advance on the battlefield.

In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty that commits both countries to providing each other with military assistance if either is attacked.

For its part, the Kremlin has described reports of North Korean troops preparing for battle as “another piece of fake news.”