North Korea is preparing a massive troop surge to help its ally Moscow in its war on Ukraine, with up to 50,000 North Koreans to be deployed in Russia.

Axar.az reports, citing Deutsche Welle, that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made the remarks.

In late July, the Ukrainian leader said Russia wanted to bring in another 30,000 North Korean troops, before adding this weekend that Pyongyang decided to have between 30,000 and 50,000 North Koreans deployed on Russian territory.

He did not specify if this number included the North Korean troops already taking part in the conflict.

It should be noted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky previously said that Russia had requested 30,000 troops from North Korea and that preparations for their arrival had already begun.