Ukraine expects a military clash with the DPRK military in the coming days.
Zelensky said this in an interview with South Korean TV channel KBS.
According to him, about 3,000 North Korean troops are already in a training camp, and their number is expected to increase to 12,000. “In addition to combat units, the issue of sending engineering troops and civilian specialists to work at military enterprises of the Russian Federation is being considered,” the head of state emphasized.
Zelenskyy believes that Russian President Putin is deliberately choosing a strategy of attracting foreign military personnel because of the low support for mobilization among the Russian population. “Forced mobilization negatively affects Putin’s rating. North Korea is a convenient tool for him to solve the personnel problem in the army,” the president explained.
He also criticized the attitude of the leaders of the Russian Federation and the DPRK to the lives of their own soldiers, calling it a demonstrative disregard for human life.
At the same time, Zelenskyy emphasized the humanitarian aspect and compliance with international law. “Our priority is the exchange of prisoners. We are ready to exchange North Korean soldiers for Ukrainians,” the president emphasized.