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Ukraine has lost a significant part of the territory in Russia’s Kursk region, which was captured during a surprise offensive in August, due to several waves of counterattacks by Russian forces. This was reported by a senior source in the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Reuters reports.

According to the source, after the lightning-fast breakthrough of Ukrainian troops, which came as a surprise to Moscow, Russia has deployed about 59,000 troops in the region.

“At the peak of the offensive, we controlled approximately 1,376 square kilometres. Now this territory has certainly shrunk. The enemy is intensifying counterattacks,” the source said.

Currently, about 800 square kilometres remain under Ukrainian control. “We will hold these territories as long as it is necessary from a military point of view,” the General Staff representative added.

A unique operation

The attack on the Kursk region was the first ground invasion of Russia’s territory by a foreign power since World War II, which came as a surprise to the Kremlin.

Kyiv said the operation was aimed at halting Russian attacks in eastern and northeastern Ukraine, as well as creating pressure to force Moscow to reduce its troops in other regions and favour Ukraine in potential peace talks.

Challenges and threats

Nevertheless, Russian forces continue to make gradual advances in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.

Also, according to the Ukrainian General Staff, about 11,000 North Korean troops have arrived in the Kursk region to support Russia. However, most of them, according to the source, are still at the training stage.

The Russian Ministry of Defence has not yet commented on these statements. The data on the presence of North Korean troops in the region has not been independently confirmed, nor have the figures provided.

Moscow neither confirmed nor denied the participation of North Korean troops in the fighting in the Kursk region.