Ukraine "Give 40% of Kursk land back to Russia"

Ukraine has given back to Russia about 40% of Kursk territory on the Russian border, which it seized in a surprise attack in August, Reuters reported on Sunday local time, citing a senior Ukrainian military source.

The source, who is part of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said, "We controlled about 1,376 square kilometers at most, but the territory is now smaller. "The enemy is strengthening its counterattack," he said. "Now the territory we control is about 800 square kilometers."

Ukraine launched an offensive in Kursk in August in an attempt to slow Russia's advance into eastern Ukraine and secure favorable conditions in future peace negotiations.

Over the next three months or so, Russia has deployed about 59,000 troops to Kursk, the source said.

He also explained that about 10 million North Korean soldiers have arrived in Kursk for training.

Reuters said it had asked Russia's defence ministry to confirm the situation in Kursk but had not received an answer.

The source said Russian forces are also not slowing down their offensive in eastern Ukraine, especially Donetsk Kurakhobe, where Russian forces are advancing 200 to 300 meters a day, is currently the most threatened area.

Kurahobe serves as a bridgehead to Pokrosk, an important logistical base for the Ukrainian military.

The source added that there were about 575,000 Russian troops deployed to Ukraine, aiming to increase that to 690,000.