A major counterattack in Kursk is being prepared by 50,000 Russian and North Korean soldiers according to a New York Times report.

The Russian military has assembled a force of 50,000 troops, including North Korean troops, as it prepares to launch a counteroffensive aimed at recapturing territory seized by Ukraine in Russia’s Kursk region, US and Ukrainian officials said, the newspaper said.

A new US assessment concludes that Moscow has concentrated power without having to withdraw troops from eastern Ukraine – its main battlefield priority – while maintaining the ability to push on multiple fronts at once.

Russian troops have recaptured some of the territory seized by Ukraine in Kursk this year. They have attacked Ukrainian positions with missiles and artillery but have yet to launch a major counteroffensive, US officials said.

Ukrainian officials expect a counteroffensive into western Russia to begin in the coming days, while North Korean troops are training with Russian forces in the western part of Kursk.

A Russia-North Korea offensive is just around the corner as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to office with the stated goal of ending the war quickly. Trump has not clarified exactly how he would resolve the conflict, but Vice President-elect Jay De Vance has spoken of a plan that would allow Russia to retain territory it has seized in Ukraine.

Some US military and intelligence officials have grown more pessimistic about Ukraine’s overall prospects, noting that Russia is steadily gaining ground in both Kursk and eastern Ukraine. They stress that the retreat is partly due to Ukraine’s failure to address critical troop shortages.

President Biden has consistently supported Ukraine, pushing Congress to approve billions of dollars in aid.

A Western official pointed out that Ukraine’s surprise invasion of Kursk in August had limited its forces on the battlefield in eastern Ukraine, leaving them vulnerable to a Russian advance. However, it is emphasized that Ukraine still has a strong defense in Kursk and can hold its positions, at least for a short time.

The officials spoke to the NYT on condition of anonymity. They did not fail to point out that the arrival of North Korean forces is a major escalation after more than two years of war.

Where and how will the North Koreans attempt?

North Korea has sent more than 10,000 troops to fight with Russia in Kursk, US officials said. The troops are wearing Russian uniforms and have been equipped by Moscow, but will likely fight in their own distinct units, US officials said.

Ukrainian officials said Moscow supplied North Korean forces with machine guns, rifles, anti-tank missiles and rockets.

Zelensky condemns record number of Russian drone attacks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned the record number of Russian drone attacks against his country.

“Last night, Russia launched a record number of 145 Shahed and other drones against Ukraine,” Zelensky wrote today in X referring to the Iranian-made kamikaze drones.