Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced significant losses for Russian and North Korean troops in the Kursk region, specifically near Makhnovka, during his nightly address. Zelensky's statement detailed the loss of a battalion of North Korean infantry soldiers and Russian paratroopers. Reports from Ukrainian and Western sources suggest approximately 11,000 North Korean troops are stationed in the area, a region where Ukrainian forces gained ground following a cross-border incursion in August.
Conversely, the Russian Defence Ministry, citing state media, reported repelling two Ukrainian counterattacks in Kursk on Sunday. Russian military bloggers have described the Ukrainian push in the Kursk region as a "last resort counteroffensive" but also suggest it may be a diversionary tactic to mask a larger, broader offensive. Analysis points to the possibility of Ukraine's efforts focusing on other fronts, particularly the Donetsk region, where Russia has achieved incremental gains.
The Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation corroborated the reports of attacks in the Kursk region, solidifying the escalating conflict. Furthermore, separate reports detail ongoing conflict in other areas. These include Russian strikes on Kherson, causing injuries, and a declared regional emergency in Sevastopol, Crimea, due to an oil spill originating from tankers in the Kerch Strait. Additionally, four Russian airports temporarily suspended flights following reports of a drone threat. Ukraine's air force reported shooting down 61 of 103 Russian drones launched overnight.
In a separate development, Zelensky also commented on the potential role of US President-elect Donald Trump in potentially ending the conflict. Zelensky's assertions highlighted a reported conversation with Trump, wherein Trump expressed an intention to visit Washington post-inauguration. Zelensky emphasized the need for stabilization on the frontlines.
