Five months after their shock offensive into Russia, Ukrainian troops are bloodied by daily combat losses and demoralized by the rising risk of defeat in Kursk.

After a surprise offensive earlier this year, Ukraine’s forces have lost about half the territory seized in Russia’s Kursk region and may lose the rest in a matter of months, according to U.S. officials, potentially depriving Kyiv of important leverage for ceasefire talks with Russia.

North Korean soldiers involved in the conflict in Russia's Kursk region are reportedly facing heavy losses and lack of support from Russian allies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy highlighted the challenges these soldiers face,