Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that between 30,000 and 50,000 North Korean soldiers will be deployed to support Russian forces in the Russia-Ukraine war, an increase from previous estimates.

“North Koreans appear on the territory of the Russian Federation from time to time,” he said. “At first, we were talking about hundreds, then thousands, and now a decision has been made for 30,000 to 50,000 North Koreans to be deployed on the territory of Russia.” The potential deployment of 50,000 troops far exceeds the original estimate of 30,000 released in late July.

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