Russia’s defense ministry announced on Tuesday that its forces had delivered significant strikes against Ukrainian units in the western Kursk region, where Ukraine’s military reported an increase in hostilities over the past 24 hours. Ukraine, which took control of part of the Kursk region in early August and has maintained that hold for five months, initiated a new offensive in the area on Sunday but has not disclosed specific details or objectives of the operation.

On Tuesday, Ukraine’s general staff reported 94 clashes in the Kursk region over the previous day, a notable rise from 47 the day before. The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War noted that geolocated footage released on Sunday and Monday suggested recent Ukrainian progress in three areas northeast of Sudzha. Meanwhile, Russian forces were reportedly attempting to launch attacks in other parts of the region, with military bloggers from Russia indicating ongoing fighting in Malaya Loknya, located northwest of Sudzha.

A statement from the Russian defense ministry identified six locations where it claimed to have defeated Ukrainian brigades, along with seven additional sites—one of which is on the Ukrainian side of the border—where it asserted strikes had been conducted against Ukrainian troops and equipment. Reuters has not been able to independently verify the battlefield accounts from either side. Securing and holding a portion of Russian territory in the Kursk region has provided Ukraine with leverage in potential peace negotiations, as both parties seek to enhance their positions ahead of Donald Trump’s anticipated return to the White House.

The president-elect of the United States, set to take office on January 20, has consistently stated his intention to swiftly conclude the nearly three-year conflict, although he has not specified the methods to achieve this.

Since last August, Ukraine’s military operations in Kursk have incurred significant costs, as Russia has made rapid advances in eastern Ukraine, marking the fastest progress since 2022. Currently, Russia occupies approximately 20% of Ukraine’s territory.

According to assessments from Western and Ukrainian sources, around 11,000 troops from North Korea, an ally of Russia, are engaged alongside Russian forces in Kursk. Russia has not confirmed or denied their involvement. Both Ukraine and the United States report substantial casualties, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stating on Monday that over 1,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or injured.

On Tuesday, Ukraine’s special forces reported the elimination of 13 North Korean soldiers, sharing images on Telegram that they claimed depicted the soldiers’ bodies and identification documents.