Russian and North Korean troops prepare to retake Kursk Oblast from Ukraine

Tens of thousands of Russian and North Korean troops are reportedly preparing to retake parts of Kursk Oblast, which Ukrainian forces captured in August. About 50,000 soldiers are expected to launch an attack soon, according to U.S. defense sources. In the past month, 11,000 to 12,000 North Korean troops have arrived in Russia and have already engaged in combat in the region. The situation follows a surprise Ukrainian counteroffensive that pushed into Russian territory, threatening the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently spoke with President-elect Donald Trump, who promised continued support for Ukraine. This comes amid discussions of a potential peace plan that would involve territorial concessions to Russia.