(Scypre.com) – In a major escalation in the ongoing conflict, Russia has massed tens of thousands of troops to reclaim land in its Kursk region that was recently taken by Ukrainian forces, according to General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces. This strategic push underscores the intensifying battle for territory in a war that has seen surprising shifts on both sides since it began two and a half years ago.
Syrskyi stated Monday that Russian forces have begun a concerted effort to push Ukrainian troops out of the occupied territory in Kursk. “They are trying to dislodge our forces and advance deep into the areas we control,” he noted, referring to the positions that Ukraine’s military has held since a surprising counteroffensive in August.
The escalation comes amid a surge in drone attacks exchanged by both nations, which Ukraine reported resulted in the deaths of eight civilians. This wave of violence also follows President-elect Donald Trump’s recent victory, a development that could significantly alter the U.S. stance on the conflict. In response, the Kremlin denied any reports that Trump had been in contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the situation.
For weeks, Ukrainian intelligence and its allies have anticipated a Russian counteroffensive in Kursk, observing that Moscow has rallied forces that reportedly include thousands of North Korean soldiers. “The significance of this operational area cannot be underestimated given the concentration of enemy troops there,” Syrskyi commented in a Telegram post. He praised Ukrainian forces for their resilience, adding that without their steadfastness, “these tens of thousands of enemies from elite Russian assault units would have stormed our positions elsewhere on the front lines.”
In September, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that Ukrainian forces had seized roughly 500 square miles of Russian territory. However, since then, Ukraine’s progress has stalled, with Putin vowing to “squeeze” Ukrainian forces out of the area.
The introduction of North Korean soldiers into the conflict is a particularly notable development. Just last week, Zelenskyy announced that around 11,000 North Korean troops were actively engaged in combat along the Ukrainian front. This unusual alliance has raised concerns in Western capitals. The Pentagon confirmed earlier this year that around 10,000 North Korean troops were sent to Russia, presumably to join the fight against Ukraine, solidifying their support for Moscow in a move that worries the U.S. and its NATO allies.
As the Russian offensive unfolds, Ukraine faces a potential shift in U.S. support following the election of Trump. The president-elect has stated his belief that he could end Russia’s invasion before even taking office, a claim that has attracted widespread attention. Trump has made public statements suggesting admiration for Putin, while casting blame on Zelenskyy for the war’s continuation.
Last Wednesday, Trump and Zelenskyy held a call that reportedly included tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. Zelenskyy described the call as “excellent,” though the Kremlin quickly countered reports from The Washington Post suggesting Trump had also spoken to Putin. “There was no conversation,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov asserted. “It is pure fiction; it is simply false information.”
Russia’s campaign to reclaim Kursk has coincided with a significant uptick in drone warfare. Over the weekend, both sides launched a series of drone attacks that inflicted heavy damage and casualties. Ukrainian officials reported that Russian shelling from Sunday to Monday killed eight civilians, with five casualties occurring in the southern city of Mykolaiv. Other regions, including Kherson, Donetsk, and Sumy, also suffered civilian losses.
In one of its largest drone attacks on Moscow since the war’s inception, Ukraine forced several Russian airports to reroute flights and injured at least one civilian. Russia responded with an unprecedented 145 drones aimed at Ukrainian territory. Ukrainian authorities reported that two civilians were injured and several buildings damaged in the southern Odesa region due to the strikes.
In a statement on Monday, Zelenskyy estimated that Ukraine had suffered over $800 billion in damages from Russian aggression since the conflict began.
According to Mykhailo Samus, a Ukrainian military analyst and director of the New Geopolitics Research Network, Putin may be accelerating his efforts in Kursk as he anticipates potential negotiations involving Trump and Zelenskyy. “Kursk Oblast will be one of the cards on the table if there’s any discussion of ending the war or negotiating a ceasefire,” Samus said. “Putin will struggle to explain to Russian elites and the public why he is discussing Russian territory with Americans.”
Christopher Tuck, a conflict and security expert at King’s College London, highlighted the role of North Korean troops in accelerating Russia’s current offensive. “North Korean forces are providing the initial manpower that Russia’s warfare style demands,” he said. “However, the extent of their long-term effectiveness remains to be seen.”
As both sides brace for what may be an intense period of fighting, the situation in Kursk has once again underscored the brutal and unpredictable nature of this protracted conflict. With new alliances forming and shifting global political dynamics, the battles that lie ahead could significantly reshape the course of the war.