"Russia to Mobilize 50,000 Troops Including North Korean Forces... Kursk Attack Imminent"

According to reports by The New York Times (NYT) and others on the 10th (local time), citing U.S. government officials, Russia has mobilized 50,000 troops, including North Korean soldiers, to retake the Kursk region occupied by Ukrainian forces.

According to the reports, Russia is believed to have secured this scale of forces without withdrawing troops from the main battlefield on the eastern front of Ukraine. As a result, Russia can now pressure Ukraine on multiple fronts simultaneously. CNN also estimated the size of Russian forces to be tens of thousands and suggested that an attack on the Kursk region could begin within days.

NYT analyzed that "the Russia-North Korea offensive against Ukraine is likely to intensify following Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election." Earlier, Trump, who pledged "to end the war within 24 hours of taking office," was speculated to allow Russia to retain the Ukrainian territories it occupies during peace negotiations. The outlet added, "If Russia gains the upper hand in the Battle of Kursk, it may not stop at the border but advance further into Ukrainian territory," while also noting that in such a case, North Korea might order its troops not to advance further into Ukraine and to stop at the border.

North Korean troops deployed to Russia wore Russian military uniforms and were supplied with Russian military equipment. However, a U.S. Department of Defense official stated that they are expected to engage in combat within their own units. NYT anticipated that some North Korean forces would be deployed in frontal attacks against Ukrainian troops, as Russia has trained them in artillery fire, basic infantry tactics, and trench warfare.

Earlier, Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia, launched a surprise attack across the border into Russia's Kursk region in August. Ukrainian forces once occupied an area exceeding 1,000 square kilometers, but the front lines are currently stalemated. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and others revealed earlier this month that about 11,000 North Korean troops are in the area. Ukrainian intelligence agencies predict that North Korea could deploy up to 100,000 troops.

A U.S. official also analyzed that North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, who deployed troops to Russia, is expecting significant military technology support in return. In an interview with CBS on the same day, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan responded to the question, "What is Russia giving North Korea in exchange for deploying troops to the Ukraine battlefield?" by saying, "We are not sure either, but honestly, I think Vladimir Putin himself is not certain," adding, "Kim Jong-un will likely expect to receive something quite significant from Russia in the form of military and technological support." When asked a follow-up question, "Could that be for the nuclear program?" he replied, "There is a clear possibility of that," but also said, "We cannot say exactly what will happen."