Key facts
- Russia has begun an additional troop mobilization, increasing recruitment through various methods.
- North Korea is preparing to deploy another 10,000 troops to Ukraine.
- Russia is providing technological assistance to North Korea in exchange for troops.
- Pyongyang is now producing Shahed attack drones.
- Russia's military personnel will increase to 2,441,630, including 1,550,500 active-duty personnel.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on September 28 that Russia has begun an additional troop mobilization, increasing recruitment through various methods, including the involvement of foreigners. North Korea is reportedly preparing to send another 10,000 troops to Ukraine in exchange for technological assistance, with Pyongyang now producing Shahed attack drones.
In his nightly video address, Zelensky stated that Russia is looking to "increase the involvement of foreigners" in its armed forces. He noted that North Korea is preparing to deploy another 10,000 troops against Ukraine, in addition to the more than 8,000 military personnel currently stationed in Russia. In return for these troops, Zelensky said Russia is providing technological assistance to North Korea, and that Shahed attack drones are now being produced by Pyongyang.
Zelensky's warnings came as Russian state media reported that President Vladimir Putin authorized an increase in the size of Russia's armed forces on September 28. Under the decree, Russia's military personnel will be set at 2,441,630, including 1,550,500 active-duty personnel, an increase of 15,500 personnel. This additional mobilization was expected by experts following the victory of Putin's United Russia party in the nation's parliamentary elections on September 21, which were widely viewed as rigged by election observers.
Ukrainian intelligence indicates that Russia's General Staff is prepared to mobilize around 300,000 personnel in 2026 and 2027 each. These forces are in addition to roughly 400,000 people a year that Russia needs to recruit just to replenish its forces, a senior Ukrainian official told the Kyiv Independent. To help combat Moscow's troop increase, Zelensky called for further sanctions on Russia and aid from allies as Ukraine continues to be battered by widespread Russian drone and missile attacks.