Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the increasing use of drones and missiles by Russia, noting that over 2,000 Shahed drones equipped with Western components were deployed against Ukraine in October alone. He highlighted the need for stricter controls on exported components that are supplying Russia’s military efforts, stating that this amounts to more than 170,000 parts, including microchips and processors, which are essential for the operation of these weapons.
In a post shared on X, Zelensky expressed concern about Russia’s ongoing attacks, emphasizing that nearly every day in October saw the launch of these drones. He called on the international community to intensify sanctions against Russia and indicated that measures must be effective to prevent evasion. Zelensky pointed out that Russia’s supply chain heavily depends on components sourced from companies across China, Europe, and the U.S.
He underlined the necessity of improving export controls to stop Russia from bypassing existing sanctions and warned that these circumvention efforts contribute to bolstering regimes in Iran and North Korea, representing a global threat. He advocated for a unified international response to counteract this issue effectively.
Zelensky’s remarks followed U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s announcement that approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers are currently stationed in Russia, with around 8,000 in the Kursk region. Although these troops have not yet engaged in battle with Ukrainian forces, Blinken anticipates their involvement in the near future. He also mentioned that Russia is providing training to South Korean soldiers in various military operations, indicating an intention to employ these forces in frontline engagements against Ukraine, which would transform them into legitimate military combatants.