Russia has amassed “tens of thousands of troops” in a major push to reclaim territory in its Kursk region that Ukraine seized, according to Ukraine’s military chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi.
He stated that Russian forces are attempting to push Ukrainian troops back and advance further into Ukrainian-controlled areas of Kursk, which Ukraine has held since a surprise incursion in August.
This development follows a wave of drone attacks exchanged between the two sides, resulting in the deaths of eight people, and comes on the heels of President-elect Donald Trump’s election, which could alter the U.S. approach to the conflict.
Ukraine has long anticipated a Russian counteroffensive in Kursk and warned of the involvement of thousands of North Korean troops in Russia’s buildup.
Syrskyi emphasized the significance of the region due to the concentration of enemy forces, adding that without Ukraine’s soldiers’ resilience, Russian assault units would have overwhelmed Ukrainian positions elsewhere.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously claimed Ukraine had captured roughly 500 square miles of Russian land, but the offensive has stalled recently as Putin vowed to push Ukrainian forces out.
Zelenskyy also confirmed that about 11,000 North Korean soldiers are stationed along the Ukrainian border, participating in combat against Ukrainian forces.
The Pentagon had reported that around 10,000 North Korean soldiers had been sent to Russia for training, heightening concerns among the U.S. and its allies about the strengthening Russia-North Korea partnership. Meanwhile, Russia’s ongoing assault coincides with political shifts in Ukraine, particularly after Trump’s election, during which he expressed optimism about resolving the war and praised Putin, while placing blame on Zelenskyy for the conflict.
Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesperson, denied reports that Trump had spoken with Putin, calling the claim “pure fiction.”
As the fighting intensifies, Ukraine and Russia continue to exchange heavy drone strikes. Ukrainian officials reported civilian casualties from Russian shelling, while Russia’s drone attacks on Ukraine also caused injuries and damage.
Zelenskyy stated that the cost of Russian aggression has amounted to $800 billion in damages for Ukraine.
Military experts suggest that Russia’s current push for Kursk may be linked to upcoming negotiations, especially with the possibility of talks involving Trump and Zelenskyy.
Some analysts believe the presence of North Korean troops has bolstered Russia’s offensive capabilities, particularly in terms of providing the initial manpower needed for the assault.
