US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin assessed that 8,000 North Korean soldiers are in Kursk Oblast and will enter combat against Ukrainian forces in the coming days.

8,000 North Korean soldiers are in Kursk Oblast and will enter combat in the coming days

Russian forces have trained North Korean troops on artillery systems, drones, and tactical infantry maneuvers

Russia is suffering over 1,200 casualties a day

North Korea has committed an estimated total of 12,000 troops to Russia

North Korean troops were deployed in Russia's Kursk region close to the border with Ukraine, wearing Russian uniforms and provided with Russian equipment.

Putin reportedly ordered Russian forces to liberate Kursk by October 2024, a mission that had failed as of February 2025.

22-year-old drone operator Ivan Kashchenko from the 95th Separate Air Assault Brigade said Ukrainian soldiers in Kursk Oblast are not encircled but their morale is 'significantly undermined.' He believes the decision to conduct the Kursk operation was wise.

Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin expressed confidence that Russia will not defeat Ukraine despite deploying thousands of North Korean troops.

Washington is aware that North Korea sent about 10,000 soldiers to train in eastern Russia, with some redeploying closer to Ukraine.

The Kremlin is planning to use North Korean soldiers to support military operations in the Kursk region near the border with Ukraine.