Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of escalating instability due to North Korea’s recent military support for Russia in the ongoing war. In his nightly address, Zelenskyy called the arrival of over 10,000 North Korean troops in Russia a “new chapter of instability,” urging global allies to counter the growing threat. North Korean troops have reportedly been positioned in frontline areas, including the Kursk region, raising concerns of further escalation.
In his address, Zelenskyy stated: “Terror, unfortunately, can spread like a virus when it does not meet sufficient counteraction. Now our counteraction must be sufficient, strong enough. The first battles with North Korean soldiers have opened a new chapter of instability in the world. Together with the world, we must do everything so that this Russian step to expand the war with real escalation fails. Both for Russia and North Korea.”
Zelenskyy described North Korea’s involvement as strategic, asserting that Pyongyang seeks Russian support for its own military goals. He emphasized the critical need for allied nations, including South Korea, to take stronger action. He noted that South Korea has already pledged specialists to support Ukraine’s air defense and stressed the importance of understanding North Korea’s military capabilities. He pointed out that Seoul’s close proximity to North Korea (just 25-30 miles from the border) underscores the importance of defensive preparation, given the destructive power of artillery—a significant threat that cannot be countered by air defense systems alone.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed a “small engagement” between Ukrainian forces and North Korean soldiers but noted that encounters remain limited and non-systematic at this stage. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently highlighted that Russian forces are sustaining heavy losses, reportedly up to 1,200 casualties per day, yet showing no signs of halting the conflict. With both Russia and Ukraine locked in what analysts describe as a war of attrition, the entry of North Korean troops into the theater could signal a prolonged, intensified conflict.
In a separate statement, Zelenskyy challenged China’s “silence” on North Korea’s actions, subtly urging Beijing to consider its role in regional stability. North Korea has continued its own military provocations, launching short-range ballistic missiles into the sea just days after testing a new intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. In response, the U.S. deployed a B-1B bomber in joint military drills with South Korea and Japan, aiming to reinforce security in the region.
The ongoing alignment between Russia and North Korea raises concerns for U.S.-allied nations in Asia. As North Korea provides Russia with artillery and other military support, regional stability is increasingly threatened, prompting calls for greater defensive coordination among allied countries.
