Ukrainian SBU stated that radio intercepts indicate North Korean forces suffered at least 220 casualties over an unspecified few days of assaults in Kursk Oblast.

SBU reported North Korean forces suffered at least 220 casualties in Kursk Oblast over a few days.

The Kremlin will likely continue to avoid reporting on the deployment of North Korean forces in Russia as doing so would tacitly acknowledge that Russia needs foreign troops to recapture its own territory and invalidate Putin's claims about high Russian recruitment rates.

ISW has not observed Russian officials and state media acknowledging the presence of North Korean forces in Russia or their participation in combat operations in Kursk Oblast.

Russia initiated communication on POW exchanges for the first time during Ukraine's Kursk operation

The Kursk operation was forced necessary - 'I had no choice, I had to conduct this operation. I had to simultaneously disrupt the offensive on Kharkiv, relieve pressure on all fronts and prevent a new front from opening in Sumy. So I decided to advance where the enemy had a weak spot with very few soldiers guarding the border.'

The Ukrainian General Staff reported that 49 enemy attacks were repulsed in the Kursk region.

Russian troops are actively conducting assaults in the Pokrovsk direction.