SEOUL, September 29 (AJP) -More than 8,000 North Korean troops are currently on Russian territory and another 10,000 are being trained for deployment, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed Monday in a national address while falling short of mentioning the diplomatic dispute over his disclosure of the transfer of North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea.
Citing new defense intelligence, Zelensky said the additional troops were being selected for training and subsequent deployment to Russia. He also alleged that Moscow was providing technology in return for Pyongyang’s military support.
“Production of shahed-type attack drones has been established in North Korea with Russian technical support,” he said, according to a transcript posted on the Ukrainian presidential website on Sept. 28.
The Ukrainian capital has been pounded by new flocks of Russian jet-powered drones that have been proving difficult to knock down with Ukraine's current air defense.
"For jet-powered “shaheds,” unfortunately, the rate is much lower than it needs to be – 57% for now. New interceptors are being actively tested. Some combat teams are already using them, but of course, some details still need to be refined to ensure sufficient effectiveness and deployment at scale, the president explained.
He moved on to North Korea, claiming to have new data on the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia and that Russia is paying with technology including the production of shahed-type attack drones that has been established in North Korea with Russian technical support.
“This is how evil encroaches, and how a threat to life in one part of the world spreads to other parts. This can only be overcome together.”
While urging international actions to stop Russia and North Korea, he did not mention the ongoing spat with South Korea.
Seoul on Monday demanded an explanation and apology over Zelensky’s disclosure at the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 23 that two North Korean prisoners of war had been transferred to South Korea, formerly filing complaint with the acting ambassador in Seoul.
South Korea’s presidential office said Sunday that Ukraine had violated a nondisclosure agreement by revealing the transfer without prior consultation or even notification. It also accused Kyiv of falsely denying that such an agreement existed, saying the denial seriously damaged trust between the governments.
Zelensky’s address followed a day of Russian drone attacks that he said had killed nine people and injured more than 80 across Ukraine. He urged partners to provide concrete defense assistance and impose further sanctions on Russia.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
