Zelensky accuses North Korea of sending troops to aid Russia, calls for more military support from 'partners'

Kyiv, Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday (Oct 13) accused North Korea of sending thousands of its soldiers to fight alongside Russia in the war and appealed for more support to prevent "a bigger war".

Zelensky's appeal

In his nightly address, Zelensky stressed that the alliance represents more than just a weapons exchange. 

"We see that the alliance between Russia and such regimes as the North Korean one is getting stronger," he said.

"This is not just about the transfer of weapons, this is in fact about the transfer of people from North Korea to the armed forces of the occupiers," added the Ukrainian president. 

Also read | Iran slams new US oil sanctions, calls them ‘illegal and unjustified’

He emphasised the need for Ukraine's partners to offer more long-range capabilities and consistent military support.

"It is obvious that under such conditions our relationship with our partners needs to evolve," he said, adding "The front line needs more support. We are talking about more long-range capabilities for Ukraine and more sustained supplies for our forces rather than a simple list of military hardware."

"It is about increasing the pressure on the aggressor, which will be stronger for Russia than they can withstand. And it is about preventing a bigger war."

South Korea raises alarm 

South Korean officials have also raised alarms about the "high possibility" of North Korean troop involvement, a claim dismissed by the Kremlin as "fake news." 

On Thursday (Oct 10), Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov when asked by the press if North Korea was sending its troops to fight in Ukraine said, "This looks like another bit of fake news."

Also read | Kamala Harris calls Putin 'murderous dictator', Kremlin says her remarks expose US view of world

Zelensky's remarks come after a series of high-profile visits to European capitals, where he sought additional aid. Meanwhile, on the ground, Russian forces continue their advance in eastern Ukraine, claiming another village near the strategic city of Pokrovsk, with the situation in the region described as "very difficult" by Kyiv.

(With inputs from agencies)