Russia is preparing to bring in an additional 10,000 North Korean soldiers for training and subsequent deployment to Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Axar.az reports, citing RBC-Ukraine, Zelensky made the remarks in an evening address following a briefing by the Main Intelligence Directorate, adding that, according to Ukrainian intelligence, more than 8,000 North Korean troops are already in Russia.

According to the president, Russia has effectively launched an additional mobilization and is increasing the number of people it recruits through various channels. Moscow also plans to step up the recruitment of foreign nationals, while Ukraine intends to inform the governments of countries whose citizens are being recruited by Russia.

Zelensky also said Russia is compensating North Korea for its military assistance, including by providing military technology. According to the president, Russia’s technical support has enabled North Korea to establish production of Shahed-type attack drones on its territory.

“This is how evil spreads and how a threat to life in one part of the world spreads to other parts of the world,” Zelensky said.