Zelensky: Russia has launched a covert mobilization

Zelensky also described a barter arrangement with North Korea. Russia is paying for North Korean assistance with technologies, among other things. In return, with Russian technical support, the production of "Shahed" attack drones has been started on North Korean territory. This expands the industrial base for attacks on Ukraine.

Barter deal with Pyongyang

The allegations come at a time when the Ukrainian side has been increasingly reporting on Russian recruitment measures. Zelensky pointed out that the Moscow leadership is raising new contingents both within Russia and through third states. He left open the exact composition of the soldiers – whether regular recruits, reservists, or foreign fighters.

From Ukraine's perspective, Moscow's aim with the covert mobilization is to compensate for its own losses without issuing an official declaration of war to its own population. By using training and deployment phases, the actual massing of troops is being concealed, the president argued.

According to Zelensky's account, the close cooperation with Pyongyang is not a new phenomenon but has recently intensified. North Korea has received Russian assistance in building up drone production capacities. "Shahed" drones – an originally Iranian weapon that is now produced in several countries – have already been deployed in large numbers against Ukrainian cities.

International reactions and demands

International observers regard the establishment of drone production on North Korean soil as a worrying taboo-breaking move, as it directly integrates another state into the supply chains. Zelensky called on the international community to sharply condemn the new Russian-North Korean agreements and to respond with additional sanctions.

The Ukrainian government announced that it would share the information about the mobilization and the drone deal with allies, particularly in Europe and the United States. The aim is to have the supply routes for components and the financing of such agreements interrupted. Zelensky also called on Russian citizens not to participate in the covert mobilization.

At the same time, the president warned of an extension of attacks on civilian infrastructure. If Russia ramps up drone production in North Korea, Ukraine must expect a higher frequency of airstrikes. Ukrainian air defense will be strengthened accordingly, coordinated with Western partners.

Impact on Ukrainian air defense

There were no independent confirmations of the specific figures – 10,000 additional soldiers and drone production in North Korea – from Moscow at the time of Zelensky's statements. According to the information available, North Korean authorities have also not publicly commented so far.

The allegations are part of a broader communication strategy by Kyiv aimed at the international isolation of Russia and its partners. Zelensky regularly uses public appearances and press conferences to point out Russian recruitment, arms production, and cooperation with third states.