Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that 11.000 North Korean soldiers had arrived in Russia's Kursk region, based on information from Ukrainian intelligence services.
In his evening address, Zelensky said that Ukrainian intelligence agencies informed him about the movements of North Korean troops and that he regretted that the Western allies did not react more firmly, the Ukrainian service of Radio Free Europe reported.
"There are already 11.000 (North Koreans) in the Kursk region," Zelenski said. "We see an increase in North Koreans, but not an increased reaction from our partners. Unfortunately".
According to estimates by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the number of North Korean soldiers transferred to Russia is now about 12.000, including 500 officers, three of whom are generals.
The Pentagon estimated on Monday that there are 10.000 North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region, which borders Ukraine.
The total number of North Korean troops in Russia "could be closer to 11.000-12.000," Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder told reporters at a briefing.
Senior US officials estimated last Sunday that in the Kursk region - where Ukrainian troops control several hundred square kilometers of Russian territory after launching a ground offensive in August - there are about 8.000 North Korean troops out of a total of 10.000 in Russia.
Ryder said the Pentagon could not at this time confirm reports that North Korean soldiers had entered combat, but that all North Korean forces may have been given Russian uniforms and Russian equipment.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said last Sunday that soldiers are expected to be deployed to combat in the coming days. He added that they will become legitimate military targets when they enter the battlefield.
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EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security Josep Borelj met with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-jul on Monday in Seoul. They issued a joint statement condemning the deployment of North Korean troops in the "strongest possible way."
"We are also deeply concerned about the possibility of any transfer of nuclear or ballistic missile-related technology (to North Korea=), which would undermine international non-proliferation efforts and threaten peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and around the world," it said. announcement.
North Korea and Russia have not confirmed the deployment of North Korean troops, although they claim that their military cooperation does not violate international law.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui in Moscow on Monday.
Details of the meeting were not available, but Choe conveyed "sincere, warm, friendly greetings" from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
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