Ukraine says North Korea boosts Russia support with drone operators

North Korea has reportedly intensified its military assistance to Russia, with Ukraine indicating a significant expansion of support. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Pyongyang could deploy up to 50,000 troops to Russia, with intelligence suggesting that several thousand North Korean soldiers are already in Russia, primarily tasked with border security. Furthermore, North Korea has transferred approximately 50 ballistic missiles to Russia by July 2026, including KN-23, KN-24, and KN-30 types, and a North Korean missile unit is reportedly deploying to Russia's Voronezh region with potential for 120 ballistic missiles and launchers. North Korean personnel are also gaining combat experience with drones and other modern battlefield tactics, signaling a deepening military collaboration.

Concurrently, North Korea has conducted a series of missile launches. On August 6, 2026, a short-range ballistic missile was fired towards the Sea of Japan, detected by South Korea and Japan. More recently, on August 20, 2026, North Korea launched a barrage of around 10 short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern waters, hours after former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed intentions to meet with Kim Jong Un. These launches have often coincided with joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea, which Pyongyang typically condemns as rehearsals for invasion.