Zelenskyy warns Russia has begun 'additional mobilization' as North Korea prepares 10,000 more troops
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on 28 September that Moscow has begun an additional mobilisation and that Pyongyang is preparing to send 10,000 more troops to fight in Ukraine, on top of the 8,000 already on Russian territory.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned on Monday that Russia has begun an “additional mobilization” of troops and that North Korea is preparing to deploy a further 10,000 soldiers to fight in Ukraine.
In his nightly video address on 28 September, Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s military intelligence (GUR) had reported on Russia’s future plans. “In fact, the Russians have already begun additional mobilization — they are increasing the number of people they are recruiting using various methods,” he said.
He said more than 8,000 North Korean troops are currently stationed on Russian territory, with another 10,000 “being selected for training and subsequent deployment to Russia”, citing “new data”. In return, he claimed, Russia is providing Pyongyang with military technology — including the production of Shahed-type attack drones inside North Korea.
“This is how evil spreads and how a threat to life in one part of the world spreads to other parts of the world,” Zelenskyy said. “This can only be overcome together.”
His warning came as Russian state media reported that President Vladimir Putin had signed a decree increasing the size of Russia’s armed forces to 2,441,630 personnel, including 1,550,500 active-duty troops — up 15,500 and the fourth increase since the start of 2025.
Zelenskyy called for further sanctions on Russia and more military aid, as Ukraine’s air defences struggle against waves of jet-powered drones.
Sources
- Reuters — Ukraine’s Zelenskiy says North Korea prepares to deploy another 10,000 troops to Russia (28 September 2026)
- The Straits Times — Ukraine’s Zelensky says North Korea prepares to deploy another 10,000 troops to Russia (read first-hand)
- Kyiv Independent — Russia beginning ‘additional mobilization’ of troops, North Korean recruitment, Zelensky warns (28 September 2026, read first-hand)
- Aju Press — Ukraine’s Zelensky claims 10,000 on top of 8,000 North Korean troops in Russia (29 September 2026)
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