Zelenskyy Warns of Growing North Korea-Russia Alliance After Family Killed in Missile Strike
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a fresh warning about the growing military alliance between Russia and North Korea after a Russian strike involving a North Korean ballistic missile killed members of the same Ukrainian family.
OPINION & VOICES
The comments come as Kyiv says North Korea is increasing its military support for Moscow, including missiles, launchers and potentially tens of thousands of additional troops.
Family Killed in Missile Strike
The latest controversy follows a Russian missile attack near Kryvyi Rih in which six members of the same family, including three children, were killed.
Zelenskyy said preliminary assessments indicated that Russia had used a North Korean ballistic missile in the attack. Ukrainian authorities said the finding would undergo further expert verification.
The Ukrainian president condemned the growing cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, arguing that the partnership is providing Russia with additional military resources while giving North Korea access to battlefield experience and technology.
North Korea Increasing Support for Russia
Zelenskyy has warned that North Korea’s involvement in the conflict is becoming increasingly significant.
According to his recent claims, Russia is preparing to receive as many as 30,000 additional North Korean troops, while Pyongyang is also preparing to provide additional ballistic-missile launchers.
More recently, Zelenskyy raised the estimate to as many as 50,000 North Korean troops, citing Ukrainian intelligence. Reuters reported that Ukraine has also identified North Korean missiles on Ukrainian territory.
A Growing Military Partnership
Russia and North Korea formalised a strategic partnership in 2024 that includes mutual assistance in the event of aggression.
North Korean troops have previously been deployed to Russia, including forces sent to the Kursk region, while Pyongyang has supplied Moscow with military equipment and ammunition, according to Ukrainian and Western assessments.
The relationship has become an increasingly important part of the wider conflict.
Zelenskyy Calls for Stronger International Response
Zelenskyy has urged Ukraine’s international partners to respond to the growing cooperation between Russia and North Korea.
He has particularly called for stronger air-defence support, arguing that Ukraine needs additional systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles.
The Ukrainian president has also appealed to South Korea for greater cooperation, including assistance with air defence and drone technology.
Why the Alliance Matters
The expanding Russia-North Korea relationship could have consequences beyond the battlefield in Ukraine.
For Russia, North Korean military assistance provides additional weapons and manpower at a time when Moscow continues its large-scale military campaign.
For North Korea, cooperation with Russia may provide access to combat experience, technology and other military capabilities.
Zelenskyy has warned that this could ultimately create a broader security challenge extending beyond Europe and into Asia.
Final Thoughts
The death of a Ukrainian family in a missile strike has renewed attention on the increasingly close military relationship between Russia and North Korea.
While Ukrainian authorities continue to verify individual battlefield claims, there is growing evidence of deeper military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang.
For Zelenskyy, the issue is not simply about the weapons being used in Ukraine. He argues that the emerging alliance could reshape the wider security environment, making international pressure and stronger support for Ukraine increasingly urgent.
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