Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reported that his military's ongoing operation in Russia's Kursk region is effectively holding back 50,000 Russian troops. In his daily address, Zelensky emphasized that this operation is limiting Moscow’s ability to launch attacks inside Ukraine.
The President stated that the goal of this incursion, despite skepticism from some Western allies, is to weaken Russia's offensive capabilities. The Institute for the Study of War, a U.S. non-profit, initially reported that Russia had 11,000 troops in Kursk when Ukraine began its surprise offensive in early August.
However, reports from The New York Times indicate that Moscow has managed to increase its troop presence in Kursk without pulling soldiers from other fronts in Ukraine. The paper also suggests that North Korean troops are being deployed to the region as part of an impending Russian counteroffensive.
Zelensky revealed that he had been briefed by Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyy, who confirmed that Ukrainian forces had successfully halted the Russian advances. "Our men are holding back 50,000 of the occupier's army personnel who, because of the Kursk operation, cannot be deployed to other Russian offensive directions," Zelensky said.
Gen. Syrskyy added that if Ukraine's forces were not in Kursk, "tens of thousands of enemies from the best Russian assault units would have been storming" Ukrainian positions in Donetsk, a critical battleground since the conflict began.
The fighting in Donetsk continues, with both sides accusing each other of damaging a dam near the Ukrainian-held town of Kurakhove. Russian forces have been slowly advancing towards Pokrovsk, a key supply hub for Ukraine.
The New York Times reports that Russian and North Korean forces in Kursk are preparing for a counteroffensive, with an estimated 50,000 troops involved. U.S. and Ukrainian officials have confirmed that over 10,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to the region, though Moscow has neither confirmed nor denied the presence of North Korean troops.
North Korea and Russia's alliance has grown stronger since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently signed a mutual defense treaty with Russia, further solidifying their ties.
Meanwhile, amid rumors about the impact of Donald Trump's re-election victory, the Kremlin has denied reports of a phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The call, first reported by the Washington Post, allegedly took place on Thursday, during which Trump warned Putin against escalating the war in Ukraine and mentioned the extensive U.S. military presence in Europe.
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