President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a fresh plea for Western long-range missiles as he hinted at calls for a ‘pre-emptive strike’ on North Korean troops massing in Russia.
Up to 10,000 of Pyongyang’s troops are thought to be on the brink of entering the Ukraine conflict with some having already made their way to the Kursk border region, US intelligence has suggested.
It comes after North Korea also tested its own new intercontinental ballistic missile on Thursday, claiming it to be the ‘world’s most powerful strategic deterrent’.
Zelensky posted on X on Friday evening: ‘Through Moscow‘s assistance, North Korea has advanced its artillery and missile capabilities.
‘Now, they are learning the tactics of modern warfare. Thousands of North Korean soldiers are already near Ukraine’s borders, preparing to fight.
The muscle-flexing comes amid a storm of international condemnation and rising alarm over what the US and others say is North Korea’s deployment of 11,000 troops to Russia
Volodymyr Zelensky is holding talks with Keir Starmer in Downing Street today as he drums up support for the fight against Russia
‘And the world is still watching. We know where these North Korean troops are gathering in Russia.
‘We could act preemptively if we had the means—long-range capability. Yet, America, the UK, and Germany watch.’
The Ukrainian leader has previously asked for Britain to give him permission to use its Storm Shadow missiles on targets in Russia – a plea which has so far been rebuffed by Downing Street.
However, Zelensky has likened this position to having to fight with his hands tied.
There were strong signals in September that a breakthrough on the issue was close, but the negotiations appear to have stalled amid threats of retaliation from Putin.
During a trip the Ukrainian president made to Downing Street earlier this month, the Government said the UK’s position on Storm Shadow missiles had not changed.
As part of his victory plan, Zelensky has also asked the US if he can use America’s ATACMS long-range missiles, a request that has also been rebuffed for fears of escalating the conflict.
‘Biden can strengthen Ukraine and make important decisions for Ukraine to become stronger and protect its independence while he is the president of the United States,’ Zelensky said back in September.
‘I think it is a historical mission. Well, at least from the perspective of Ukraine.’
File image shows dictator Kim Jong Un supervising artillery firing drills in North Korea in March
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A photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on 23 October 2024 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (R) inspecting strategic missile bases
This picture released by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on October 31 shows the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) during a test-fire
Russia has massively warmed ties with its North Korean neighbour since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 with the UK Defence Secretary today warning of a ‘growing alliance of aggression’ between the wo countries.
John Healey said on Friday evening that UK Defence Intelligence had confirmed 10,000 North Korean soldiers had arrived in Russia, with a ‘significant proportion’ heading for the Kursk region.
In an intelligence update, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it was ‘almost certain some have already deployed to the Kursk region’, where Ukraine has been carrying out a counterattack.
Mr Healey said: ‘This growing alliance of aggression shows why we must continue to stand steadfast behind Ukraine’s fight for freedom.’
His statement comes after the US and Nato also warned that North Korea was likely to have sent troops to assist Russia, with Western leaders describing the move as a significant escalation.
Meanwhile, North Korea’s foreign minister Choe Son Hui visited Moscow on Friday for a meeting with her Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov that South Korea’s spy agency suggested could have involved discussion of Pyongyang providing additional reinforcements.
The MoD’s update said the countries had been looking to deepen their partnership, with Russia’s parliament agreeing a treaty that included a mutual defence clause on October 24.
It comes after a video allegedly showing North Korean soldiers in Russia surfaced earlier this month
But Defence Intelligence added that Russian and North Korean forces would face ‘interoperability difficulties’ as a result of not having trained together.
It said: ‘(North Korean) troops conducting combat operations would almost certainly have issues operating Russian equipment, integrating into Russia’s command and control structure, and working around the language barrier with Russian forces.’
The launch of North Korea’s own ballistic missile is thought to be a response to pressure the country has come under due to its engagement with Russia.
Dictator Kim Jong Un attended the launch and said the test was a warning to enemies that have been threatening the country’s security, KCNA state news agency said.
‘The test-fire is an appropriate military action that fully meets the purpose of informing the rivals, who have intentionally escalated the regional situation and posed a threat to the security of our Republic recently, of our counteraction will,’ Kim reportedly warned.
The launch marked the country’s longest ever ballistic missile test, with a flight-time of 87 minutes, according to South Korea, while state media in the North gloated that it set new records for its missile capabilities.
However, the move drew swift condemnation from the United States, Japan and South Korea, with Seoul warning Pyongyang could get missile technology from Russia for helping with the war in Ukraine.
The launch early on Thursday saw the missile take off on a sharply lofted trajectory from an area near the North’s capital, before it splashed down about 125 miles west of Japan’s Okushiri island, off Hokkaido.
It reached an altitude of around 4,300 miles (7,000 km) and flew a distance of 620 miles (1,000 km), the Japanese government said.
North Korea’s last ICBM, dubbed the Hwasong-18, was tested in December last year.
Fuelled by solid-propellant and fired from a road launcher, it was also launched at a sharply raised angle and flew for 73 minutes, translating to a potential range of 9,300 miles (15,000) on a normal trajectory.
That is a distance that puts anywhere in the mainland United States within range.
