Kursk Oblast

The first clashes between North Korean forces and Ukrainian troops have reportedly occurred in the Kursk region of Russia. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed the engagement in an interview with South Korean broadcaster KBS on November 5, though he noted that the full deployment of North Korean forces in the region would take some more time.

The United States has received information indicating that “currently,” there are 8,000 North Korean troops in Russia’s Kursk region, stated U.S.

Kiev has announced a fresh mobilization drive as Moscow seized the mining hub of Selydove and the U.S. said some North Korean troops were in Russia's Kursk region, warning that thousands more were on their way.

In recent days, Ukrainian authorities have evacuated 535 individuals, including 143 children, from the border areas of the Sumy region, according to Ukrinform. A total of 36,800 people, including minors, were evacuated from 34 settlements both within and beyond the 5-kilometer zone along Ukraine's border with Russia.

Seven regions in Russia have reported the downing of Ukrainian drones and missiles, with the Russian Ministry of Defense announcing that 54 drones were intercepted over several areas, including Kursk, Bryansk, Smolensk, Belgorod, and Oryol regions. Among these, 27 drones were reportedly shot down over Kursk Oblast alone.

Ukraine on Monday said it had asked the U.N. and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to verify the situation in areas of Russia's Kursk region seized by Kiev, in a move branded as "provacation" by Russia.

Russian troops are continuing their counterattacks in response to the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Oblast, but as of September 12, they have achieved only minimal progress. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that the limited success may be due to ongoing Ukrainian offensive operations and defensive counterattacks in the area.

Governor Alexei Smirnov reported that the economic damage to Russia from the Ukrainian invasion of the Kursk region has approached nearly 1 billion dollars. More than 150,000 people have been evacuated as a result of the conflict, according to his statements quoted by Reuters.

Ukraine unleashed more than 140 drones on Russia overnight, officials said Tuesday, resulting in the death of a woman near Moscow, grounding flights, and activating air defenses in several parts of the country.

President Vladimir Putin said Monday Kiev's incursion into Russia's Kursk region will not stop Moscow's advance in east Ukraine and vowed to deal with Ukrainian "bandits" there.

Ukraine's surprise August 6 incursion into Russia has displaced around 130,000 people and seen Kiev hold on to parts of the border Kursk region.