Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, has raised concerns over a new Russian law that allows non-Russian citizens to serve in the Russian military. According to Yermak, this legislation paves the way for recruiting cheap foreign volunteers, including North Koreans, to fight in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
“Recently, Russia signed a law permitting individuals without Russian citizenship to join their so-called ‘terrorist army,’” Yermak wrote on his Telegram channel. “After failing to hide the involvement of North Korean military personnel in the conflict, Russia is now creating conditions to recruit even cheaper North Korean volunteers.”
Yermak warned that this development signals a very real threat of war extending to NATO countries.
“The risk of conflict for NATO is tangible since Russia is already relying on North Korean forces in Europe. It’s unclear where these volunteers might appear next—whether near the Baltic borders, during ‘training exercises’ in Belarus, or in Kaliningrad,” he said.
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Yermak stressed that countering this threat requires strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities and intensifying sanctions against Russia.
“The only way to stop these threats is through increased weapons supplies and economic pressure on Russia and its allies. The cure for Russian aggression is effective military support from the United States, Europe, and Ukraine itself,” he concluded.
