"The ongoing deployment of North Korean troops to support Russia is one of the clearest indicators of Moscow's reluctance to de-escalate, alongside the arms deliveries that Russia has been receiving from Pyongyang for over a year. Following the latest discussion of the council, the situation on the ground has intensified, and the first clashes between Ukrainian forces and North Korean soldiers have already occurred," he stated.
The Ukrainian diplomat noted that, according to available information, the military contingent from North Korea, currently at 11,000 personnel, could be "rapidly increased" to 100,000.
Kyslytsia emphasized that North Korea has sent tens of thousands of containers with weapons and ammunition to Russia to continue its aggression against Ukraine.
"As reported by Ukrainian military intelligence, Pyongyang has supplied Moscow with 100 short-range ballistic missiles KN-23 and KN-24. The first use of this weapon by Russia against Ukraine, including against residential areas and civilian infrastructure, was recorded at the end of 2023. In 2024, Ukraine recorded around 60 launches of such missiles, accounting for one-third of all ballistic missile attacks carried out by Russia this year," he declared.
The diplomat pointed out satellite images showing that North Korea is expanding the production complex where KN-23 ballistic missiles are assembled.
"Support from [Moscow] to Pyongyang comes at a cost, which is access to Russian technologies in missile, nuclear, and other military programs. It is important to understand that this cost is not only borne by Russia but by the entire world. The inability to act decisively will be much more expensive in the long term than taking tough and timely measures today," he believes.
Kyslytsia, on behalf of Ukraine, called on "all responsible countries to take immediate action to decisively counter the Russian and North Korean regimes – from increasing sanctions pressure on Moscow and Pyongyang to maximizing the potential of Ukraine within the framework of the victory plan presented by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky."