Vladimir Putin has deployed 50,000 Russian and North Korean troops near Kursk in a bid to reclaim territory before Donald Trump's White House return.
Nato officials have expressed growing concern about a significant escalation of the conflict.
Ukraine's highest-ranking military commander has confirmed that "tens of thousands of enemy soldiers" have arrived with the apparent aim of pushing Kyiv's forces out of the Russian enclave.
The deployment comes amid Nato assessments suggesting Putin is racing against time to secure territorial gains ahead of Trump's possible inauguration on January 20.
British intelligence assessments obtained by The Telegraph indicate Russia is preparing to intensify kamikaze drone attacks on Ukrainian positions, utilising new launch sites near the border.
Approximately 12,000 North Korean conscripts are expected to participate in the fighting around the Kursk region, operating under a military assistance agreement established between Russia and North Korea this year.
Vladimir Putin has deployed an additional 50,000 Russian and North Korean troops
REUTERS
The deployment represents a significant bolstering of Russian forces in the area, with the combined force of Russian and North Korean troops reaching 50,000 personnel.
The military build-up marks one of the largest concentrations of forces seen in recent months, highlighting the strategic importance of the Kursk region in the ongoing conflict.
Ukrainian analysts believe Russia may be planning its largest counterattack in the Kursk region, according to reports.
The strategic objective appears to be gaining momentum for a push into Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region.
The military build-up marks one of the largest concentrations of forces seen in recent months, highlighting the strategic importance of the Kursk region in the ongoing conflict
REUTERS
This potential offensive aligns with the broader pattern of Russian military build-up observed in recent days.
The assessment from Ukrainian experts suggests a two-pronged strategy: consolidating control around Kursk while preparing for a possible expansion of operations into Ukrainian territory.
The timing of these preparations, coinciding with the deployment of the combined Russian-North Korean force, indicates a coordinated effort to achieve significant territorial gains.
Reports of a phone conversation between Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have sparked controversy, with conflicting accounts emerging from different sources.
The Washington Post reported that Trump spoke with Putin on Thursday from his Florida resort, marking their first conversation since Trump's election victory.
According to an anonymous source familiar with the discussion, Trump advised Putin "not to escalate the war in Ukraine" and reminded him of America's substantial military presence in Europe.
However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has categorically denied these claims.
"There was no conversation," Peskov stated. "This is completely untrue. This is pure fiction, it's just false information."
The Kremlin further clarified that Putin currently has no "concrete" plans to speak with Trump.
