### Russia and North Korea Mobilize Forces for Assault on Ukraine: US Official

Russia, alongside North Korea, has prepared a substantial military force, estimated to number in the tens of thousands, for an imminent offensive on Ukrainian positions in the Kursk region, as reported by a US official to CNN. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted on Thursday the presence of around 11,000 North Korean soldiers in the area, where Ukraine's three-month campaign into Russian territory has recently stagnated.

The New York Times revealed on Sunday that approximately 50,000 troops from Russia and North Korea are poised to partake in the anticipated assault. Confirmation from the Ukrainian side was sought by CNN, which also cited a Ukrainian commander affirming the involvement of North Korean troops in both combat operations within the Kursk region and defensive roles in neighboring Belgorod, Russia as well as in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories.

The commander elaborated that North Korean troops are engaged as the second line of defense, with specialist artillerymen and snipers among their numbers. He stated these units are significant assets for Russia, relieving Russian troops who can redeploy to more active combat zones. The commander underscored, "In military terms, they amount to three full-blooded brigades," noting the strategic impact of deploying these forces.

Reports of North Korean troop involvement first emerged last month, though initially dismissed by both nations. However, the traditionally isolated allies have cemented stronger ties following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. North Korea, boasting a 1.2 million-strong military, lacks extensive combat experience, which its troops now potentially gain from this engagement.

Ukraine’s incursion into Kursk over the summer marked its first invasion of Russian territory since World War II, though it hasn't halted Russia's advances in eastern Ukraine. Russia has launched persistent drone strikes on Ukrainian cities, often deploying decoy drones to overwhelm air defenses, explained a spokesperson for Ukraine’s air force.

Amid these developments, Zelensky criticized the global response to his calls for long-range weapons to counter the increased aggressions. He voiced concerns over the possible shift in US support with President-elect Donald Trump, who has vowed to resolve the conflict within 24 hours, instigating potential changes in US-Ukraine relations.

Trump’s election, alongside his vice-president-elect Ohio Senator JD Vance, has stirred worries among NATO allies due to suggestions of potential US pressure on Ukraine for an uneasy truce with Russia. President Vladimir Putin expressed a willingness to dialog with Trump, while commending Trump's stance on the conflict as noteworthy.

In a recent call, which included tech billionaire Elon Musk, Trump and Zelensky shared a positive conversation post-election, though specific policies were not discussed. Concurrently, the Biden administration lifted its informal ban on American military contractors operating in Ukraine, enabling direct assistance to maintain and repair US-provided weapons systems for the first time since the conflict began.