Volodymyr Zelensky told a press conference on Sunday, 4 October 2026, that he believed Russia had shared jet-drone technology with North Korea. Asked directly whether Moscow had transferred the technology behind its latest generation of jet-powered drones, the Ukrainian president replied: “Yes, of course.”
Zelensky said Russia was passing on a far wider range of know-how to Pyongyang. “They [Russia] are sharing with North Korea all the technologies. I don't know about the ballistic and etc, but I think, yes, because North Korea helped them with missiles.”
He described the prospect as dangerous. “I think yes, because North Korea helped them with missiles. It's a very dangerous moment,” Zelensky said.
The claim came as Russia has sharply increased its use of jet-drones against Ukraine in recent weeks. In some attacks on Kyiv, jet-powered drones have made up around two-thirds of those launched.
Russia’s jet-powered Geran-4 kamikaze drones can reach speeds of up to 500 kilometers per hour. Its Geran-5 drones can reach speeds of up to 600 kilometers per hour.
Ukraine has no effective means of countering the jet-drones other than combat aircraft, according to Zelensky’s assessment.
Russia and North Korea signed a mutual defence pact in 2024.
Since then, North Korea has supplied Russia with millions of artillery shells and ballistic missiles that Moscow regularly uses to attack Ukrainian cities.
Thousands of North Korean soldiers were also sent to Russia to gain combat experience in the war. Zelensky says more than 8,000 North Korean troops are currently in Russia, while another 10,000 are being selected and trained for deployment.
Many are stationed in the Kursk region, where Russian and Ukrainian forces have fought major battles.
South Korea and Western countries have previously voiced concern that Moscow could be helping Pyongyang develop weapons in return for its support of Russia’s war. Ukraine and other countries are concerned about the expanding military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.
Zelensky compared the relationship to Russia’s earlier cooperation with Iran. He said Tehran gave Moscow the means to produce its own Shahed attack drones early in the war, before Russia later supplied drones to Iran when it came under attack by the US and Israel.
Zelensky said Russia plans to spend $12 billion next year producing jet-powered drones and loitering munitions.
The Ukrainian president’s remarks also came amid a dispute with Seoul over North Korean prisoners of war. Zelensky announced at the United Nations General Assembly that Ukraine had transferred two North Korean prisoners captured while fighting for Russia to South Korea.
“South Korea asked us to give them North Korean soldiers. By the way, according to their constitution, they are their citizens … so we gave them these two guys,” Zelensky said.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Friday that Kyiv had breached a confidentiality agreement covering the transfer. He threatened unspecified measures unless Ukraine acknowledged the agreement and issued an apology.
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