Russia has called up 50,000 troops, including North Korean troops, to retake the Ukrainian-occupied Kursk region, the New York Times reported, citing U.S. government officials.
CNN calls the scale "tens of thousands" and explains that Russia is expected to launch attacks on Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region in the coming days.
The New York Times predicted that Russia and North Korea's offensive against Ukraine is likely to intensify with former President Donald Trump's presidential victory.This is because many observers say that Trump, who declared the end of the war within 24 hours of taking office
, is likely to allow Russia to maintain occupied territory in Ukraine when negotiating the end of the war.
Indeed, Trump is believed to have a plan to pressure Ukraine to end the war on the condition that it gives up its eastern territory occupied by Russia and also gives up NATO membership.
During a campaign rally in late September, Trump said, "Ukraine should have given up a little (territory). The worst negotiations would have been better than they are now," he said, also hinting at Ukraine's abandonment of some territory.
The NYT said if Russia wins the battle for Kursk, it could potentially go further into Ukrainian territory without stopping at the border.
Ukraine, which was previously invaded by Russia, attacked Russia's Kursk in August in a surprise attack and once occupied an area of more than 1,000 square kilometers, but now the front lines are deadlocked and have not changed the game of Russia's offensive in eastern Ukraine significantly.
a journalist | Kim Jan-di
AI Anchor|Y-GO
Caption editing | Yoon Hyun-kyung
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