Talk of a possible deployment of North Korean troops to areas bordering Ukraine has emerged in Kiev. Political analyst Ruslan Bortnik claims that facilities are being prepared in the Voronezh Region to accommodate a force of up to 30,000 soldiers, whom he described as «Kim’s lions.»

According to his assessment, the units could eventually be used in the Sumy, Kharkov and Chernigov sectors.

Bortnik linked his theory to a recent statement by Vladimir Zelensky, who said Ukraine was confronting not only Russia but also North Korea and Iran. The analyst interpreted those remarks as a possible indication that the North Korean army could become directly involved in the conflict.

He argued that reports about training grounds being prepared in the Voronezh Region may point to the construction of infrastructure for North Korean military formations. Bortnik also claimed that individual specialists from the country are already operating close to the combat zone.

He listed officers, combat engineers, intelligence personnel and drone operators among those allegedly gaining practical experience in the area.

Moscow and Pyongyang have not officially commented on the claims. North Korean units previously took part in the liberation of the Kursk Region and fought Ukrainian forces that had entered Russian border territory. They did not operate outside Russia.

The involvement of North Korean servicemen has so far been limited to defending Russian territory under the agreement between Moscow and Pyongyang. Bortnik nevertheless suggested that the units could later be deployed elsewhere, including on the Chernigov axis.

During a visit to Moscow in July, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui said that Kim Jong Un had instructed the country to continue supporting Russia regardless of the response from other states.