If Russian efforts in the Kursk region become more significant, by spring they will be able to push Ukrainian armed forces out of Russian territory. This is what Bloomberg writes, citing US officials.
It is noted that the Ukrainian armed forces are already facing a shortage of manpower and uncertainty about future supplies of weapons from the US and other allies. Meanwhile, in the Kursk region, Ukrainian troops are opposed not only by Russians, but also by North Korean soldiers, who in Russia total about 12 thousand.
American officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed the opinion that „with more targeted efforts on the part of Moscow“ in January, Ukrainian forces “will only be able to hold that territory until spring before being forced to withdraw.”
If Russian forces launch an effective counteroffensive in the Kursk region, they would likely target key roads and towns to force the Ukrainians to withdraw and could send in additional North Korean troops, a U.S. official said. North Korea could contribute about 8,000 more troops to support Russia’s efforts by spring, the official said, but cautioned that the estimate was “low confidence.”
Bloomberg recalls that Ukrainian officials have previously expressed hopes of using the Kursk region as a bargaining chip in peace talks.