Zelenskyy: Russia receives new batch of ballistic missiles from North Korea
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
North Korea continues to supply Russia with weapons, while the experience gained from the war could allow Pyongyang to improve its own missile capabilities, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
According to Zelenskyy, military cooperation between Russia and North Korea continues to expand. Pyongyang is not only supplying Moscow with weapons but is also gaining an opportunity to improve its own military technologies through experience gained from the war against Ukraine.
"It has also received additional ballistic missiles from North Korea. Everyone around the world must understand what this means," Zelenskyy said.
The president stressed that the consequences of such cooperation could extend beyond Ukraine. According to him, the use of North Korean missiles and weapons in the war gives Pyongyang practical combat experience and an opportunity to improve its military capabilities.
"North Korea’s ballistic missiles and other weapons are being improved through its collaboration with Russia," Zelenskyy said.
He also warned that the continued use of North Korean weapons could create additional risks for other countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
"The more they correct their shortcomings and blind spots, the greater the danger will later be for Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, and other countries in the region," the president stressed.
Zelenskyy called on international partners to strengthen coordination and support for Ukraine, particularly in the area of air defense. In his view, a coordinated response from other countries could deter North Korea from further involvement in the war against Ukraine.
"We are also, in fact, speaking about taking away North Korea’s appetite and any interest in coming here – to our land and into our skies – with its weapons in order to learn how to wage war," the head of state concluded.
Earlier, Zelenskyy said that Russia plans to increase the presence of North Korean troops on its territory.
According to him, the deployment could involve 30,000 to 50,000 North Korean soldiers who would carry out missions and gain experience in modern warfare.
