Zelensky Says Nearly 50,000 Russian Troops Positioned In Kursk As Tensions Rise Over Ukraine’s Counteroffensive

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported Monday that Russia has stationed close to 50,000 troops in Kursk, a southern Russian region that became a focal point after Kyiv’s unexpected counteroffensive this summer.

In a Telegram post, Zelensky stated that Ukrainian forces “continue to hold back” the “nearly 50,000-strong enemy group” in Kursk.

His comments came following a briefing from General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces.

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Ukraine’s incursion into the Kursk region, launched in August, took not only Moscow but also its allies by surprise. Kyiv justified the operation as a preventive measure, claiming that Russia was preparing a fresh offensive from the region.

Ukrainian officials stated that they intended to establish a “buffer zone” to protect against future cross-border attacks.

The offensive, which marked the first ground invasion of Russian territory by a foreign power since World War II, caught Moscow off-guard.

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Ukrainian forces advanced rapidly, securing control over hundreds of square miles of Russian territory. Although Russia has reclaimed some settlements, the front line has seen little movement over the past months.

A U.S. official told CNN on Sunday that Russia has now mobilized tens of thousands of troops, including newly-arrived North Korean forces, in preparation for an attack on Ukrainian positions in Kursk. This assault is expected to unfold in the coming days.

While the Kremlin has not commented on the presence of North Korean troops, Russia declined to address U.S. inquiries about their deployment during a United Nations Security Council meeting last week.