In the Kursk region, Ukrainian forces repelled the Russian assault, which was conducted in six waves. The enemy employed 50 tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, and civilian transport vehicles for the attack.
The Ukrainian military reported that they destroyed a significant number of Russian vehicles during the offensive, as mentioned in a new report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Additionally, as highlighted in the report, in the vicinity of Sudzha, the Russians managed to capture two settlements—Leonidovo and Alexandria—during an intensified mechanized assault involving up to a battalion.
The Russians also advanced near Pogrebki. Although Russian military reporters claimed that this village was already under their control, the Institute noted that it found no confirmation of these claims.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian forces recently advanced northwest of Sudzha. Geolocation footage indicates that Ukrainian troops have made progress in western Mykolaivka.
Specifically, Ukrainian military units are counterattacking in the areas of Pogrebki, Nova Sorochyna (to the northwest of Sudzha), Stara Sorochyna, and Mykolaivka.
The report states that, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as of January 9, around 4,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or injured in the Kursk region during the war. Analysts noted that Zelensky's statement suggests that the Ukrainian forces have killed or wounded approximately one-third of the North Korean troops.
North Korean Military in the War Against Ukraine
North Korea has sent about 12,000 soldiers to support Russia in the war against Ukraine.
Zelensky stated at the end of 2024 that over 3,000 North Korean soldiers had been killed or injured in the Kursk region.