Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused North Korea of dispatching troops to Russia's military forces and reiterated his call for increased support to avert a larger conflict. Zelensky made these remarks following his recent visits to several European capitals, where he sought additional military and financial assistance in Ukraine's ongoing struggle against Russian aggression.
"We observe a growing alliance between Russia and regimes like North Korea," Zelensky stated in his nightly address. "It's no longer merely about weapon transfers; it involves the actual deployment of North Korean personnel into the occupier's military ranks." He emphasized the necessity for stronger partnerships and greater support at the frontlines.
Zelensky's whirlwind tour last week included stops in Berlin, London, Paris, and Rome, where he urged sustained military aid as Russia's assault on Ukraine enters its third year. These visits were hastily arranged after US President Joe Biden postponed his trip to Germany to oversee hurricane preparations in Florida.
Biden's rescheduled visit, now set for this Friday, is expected to focus on Ukraine and the Middle East. Meanwhile, Russia announced the capture of another village in eastern Ukraine, bringing its forces closer to the strategic city of Pokrovsk.
Russian troops have been advancing westward in the Donetsk region for months, with Kyiv reporting a "very difficult" situation. Moscow's defense ministry claimed control over Mykhailivka, near the town of Selydove and south of Pokrovsk. Selydove has suffered extensive damage from months of shelling, with most of its residents having fled.
Russia has been attempting to seize Pokrovsk, a mining town previously home to around 60,000 people, as part of its ongoing offensive in eastern Ukraine.
