Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has raised concerns over Russia's increasing attacks, disclosing that over 2,000 Shahed drones and missiles, incorporating Western components, were launched against Ukraine in October. Zelenskyy underscored the immediate necessity for stricter export controls to thwart sanctions evasion, noting that Russia's supply chain depends on more than 170,000 individual components sourced from companies in China, Europe, and the United States.

In a post shared on X, Zelenskyy stated, "Russia is progressively intensifying its daily assaults with Shahed drones and missiles, still relying on Western components. In October alone, over 2,000 Shaheds were launched against Ukraine—nearly every day." He further highlighted, "Such a substantial number of Shaheds necessitates over 170,000 individual components that should have been blocked from reaching Russia. All these are supplied from abroad, including from companies in China, Europe, America—numerous small contributions to the ongoing Russian terror."

Zelenskyy also emphasized the critical importance of enhanced export controls on specialized components and resources to prevent Russia from bypassing sanctions. He asserted, "This continuous supply chain once again underscores the urgent need for the world to strengthen export controls on special components and resources. Russia must not be permitted to evade sanctions that were imposed long ago in response to this war."

Adding to his concerns, Zelenskyy said, "Sanctions must increase and be effective. Every scheme to bypass sanctions is a crime against people and the world. These schemes also enable Russia to bolster regimes in Iran and North Korea. This is a global threat, and only global, unified pressure can overcome it."

Zelenskyy's comments follow US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken's revelation that approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers are currently in Russia, with around 8,000 deployed in the Kursk region. Blinken further stated that while these troops have not yet been engaged in combat against Ukrainian forces, their involvement is anticipated in the coming days.

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