Zelensky: "Engaged in battle with 50,000 Russian and North Korean troops in Kharkiv"

Ukrainian forces are engaged in combat with approximately 50,000 enemy troops in the Kursk region of mainland Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on the 11th (local time). President Zelensky stated on Telegram that "Today, I received an extensive report on the situation from Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi."

Earlier, CNN reported that Russia has mobilized about 50,000 troops, including North Korean soldiers, to retake the Kursk region. The New York Times also reported that around 50,000 Russian and North Korean troops are expected to participate in this attack. The North Korean forces, estimated to number over 10,000, have been training at the western edge of Kursk and are said to have received equipment from Russia, including military uniforms, machine guns, sniper rifles, anti-tank missiles, and rocket-propelled grenades.

Local Ukrainian media have analyzed that Russia's offensive to retake Kursk has begun. The Kyiv Post reported, "It appears that the Russian military's offensive to drive Ukrainian forces out of Kursk has commenced."

President Zelensky also added that fierce battles are ongoing in the eastern Ukrainian cities of Pokrovsk and Kurakhove, and that the Ukrainian military's capabilities will be significantly strengthened.

Following the recent U.S. presidential election victory of former President Donald Trump, clashes between the two countries around the Kursk and eastern Ukraine frontlines are expected to intensify. With the anticipated second Trump administration, there is growing speculation that negotiations with Russia will be based on the current frontlines as borders, leading both countries to strive to secure even an inch more territory. Currently, Russia occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

Former President Trump has pledged to end the Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours of taking office. According to a Washington Post report from the previous day, President-elect Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone on the 7th, expressing interest in holding follow-up talks soon to discuss ending the Russia-Ukraine war.