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Zelenskyy warns of Russian covert mobilization and North Korean troop deployment
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing a covert mobilization to replenish military forces following significant losses. Zelenskyy claims the Kremlin is attempting to increase troop numbers through shadow contracts to avoid the public backlash of a formal mobilization decree.
Zelenskyy further warned that Russia plans to deploy between 30,000 and 50,000 North Korean soldiers to Russian territory. This cooperation is expected to provide North Korea with combat experience and financial gains, with reports suggesting North Korea earned $20 billion from weapon supplies between August 2023 and March 2025.
Ukrainian intelligence has noted preparations in the Voronezh region for the arrival of these troops. According to Ukrainian data, Russia recruited 221,000 people in the first seven months of 2026, while losses during the same period are estimated at 225,500, including 131,000 deaths and 93,000 injuries.
Russian officials have denied these claims. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated there is no current discussion of mobilization, while Dmitry Medvedev argued that sufficient personnel are already joining the military through voluntary contracts.
Entities
North Korea · Russia · Ukraine · Vladimir Putin · Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [DISPUTED] Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated there is currently no discussion regarding mobilization. face.ba
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Dmitry Medvedev claimed Russia does not need mobilization because enough people are joining the military via contracts. face.ba
- [● 3 SOURCES] In the first seven months of 2026, 221,000 people were recruited into the Russian armed forces. novi.ba · www.24sata.hr · face.ba
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Russian Duma passed a law in July allowing military contracts to be signed by individuals with certain criminal records during formal mobilization. face.ba
- [● 3 SOURCES] Russian military losses in the same seven-month period reached approximately 225,500, including 131,000 killed and 93,000 wounded. novi.ba · www.24sata.hr · face.ba
- [DISPUTED] Vladimir Putin is preparing a covert mobilization. novi.ba · www.24sata.hr · face.ba
- [● 2 SOURCES] North Korea earned $20 billion from August 2023 to March 2025 by supplying 20,000 containers of weapons. novi.ba · www.24sata.hr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Russia plans to deploy between 30,000 and 50,000 North Korean soldiers to its territory. novi.ba · www.24sata.hr · face.ba