Russia gathers 50,000 soldiers, including from North Korea, in Kursk region - NYT
Illustrative photo: The Russian Federation gathered 50,000 soldiers, including from the DPRK, in the Kursk region (Getty Images)
Russia has gathered 50,000 soldiers in the Kursk region, including North Korean troops. They are preparing for offensive actions, reports The New York Times.
According to The New York Times, citing US and Ukrainian officials, the Russian forces gathered in the Kursk region are preparing to launch an offensive.
A new US assessment indicates that Russia has amassed troops without the need to withdraw soldiers from the eastern front of Ukraine, allowing them to apply pressure on multiple fronts simultaneously.
US officials emphasize that Russia has not yet launched a major offensive in the Kursk region. Ukrainian officials expect an attack involving North Korean forces in the coming days. North Korean soldiers are currently training alongside Russian forces in the western part of the Kursk region.
According to US officials, Russia is training North Korean troops in artillery fire, basic infantry tactics, and trench clearing. Ukrainian sources indicate that the North Korean forces are divided into two groups: an assault unit and a support unit.
US officials believe it will be difficult for Ukrainian forces to be pushed out of the Kursk region and that Russian and North Korean forces are likely to suffer significant casualties, similar to the losses sustained by the occupiers in eastern Ukraine.
North Korea sends troops to assist Russia
North Korea has sent troops to support Russia in the war. According to Ukrainian intelligence, North Korea may have deployed about 12,000 soldiers to Russia.
North Korean troops underwent training at Russian training grounds before being sent to the Kursk region. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, there are already 11,000 North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region.
Ukrainian defenders have already encountered North Korean troops on the battlefield. Ukrainian intelligence intercepted a conversation among the North Korean soldiers.
