North Korean troops to be deployed in Ukraine within days within days in 'clear escalation', says Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his government had intelligence that 10,000 North Korean soldiers were being prepared to join invading Russian forces - (AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Russia plans to deploy North Korean troops to the battlefield starting this weekend, citing intelligence reports.

"According to intelligence, the first North Korean soldiers are expected to be deployed by Russia to combat zones as early as October 27-28. This is a clear escalation by Russia,” Mr Zelensky said on X on Friday after receiving reports from his top commander.