The United States confirmed Tuesday that North Korean troops deployed to western Russia have begun engaging in combat operations against Ukraine. Vedant Patel, principal deputy spokesperson for the State Department,

It seems Vladimir Putin is determined to finally put an end to the Ukrainian mini-invasion, as reports say he has amassed 50,000 Russian and North Korean troops to lead the first major ground assault in the Kursk region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia has deployed nearly 50,000 troops to Kursk, the southern Russian region where Kyiv launched its surprise counteroffensive in the summer.