Russia is preparing for an offensive in Kursk Oblast with a force of 50,000 troops, including North Korean troops, the New York Times reported on November 10, citing US and Ukrainian officials.

According to Ukrainian officials, the attack will begin in the near future. Ukraine launched the surprise offensive in Russia’s Kursk Oblast in August and is holding its positions, although Russian forces have managed to regain about half of the territory.

According to a new US estimate, Russia has amassed 50,000 troops without pulling its soldiers from the eastern front. Eastern Ukraine remains the priority for Russia and it has made notable gains in the southern Donetsk Oblast, and near Toretsk, Khasiv Yar and Kupiansk.

Although Russia managed to retake parts of the Kursk Oblast with rocket attacks and artillery fire, Russia has not yet launched a major attack there, a US official told the New York Times.

The new force comes as Russia suffered its heaviest losses last month and North Korean troops could replace wounded and killed Russian soldiers, some experts said. British Chief Admiral of the Defense Staff Anthony Radakin claimed that Russia was losing an average of 1,500 troops per day in October.

North Korean troops, who arrived in Russia last month, are likely to be directly involved in the operation in Kursk Oblast. According to a Ukrainian official, the troops are divided into an attack unit and a support unit.

They will fight as light infantry, making them vulnerable to Ukrainian artillery and drone attacks without the help of armored vehicles, the New York Times wrote.

Russian and North Korean soldiers are expected to suffer heavy losses in their battle against Ukrainians in Kursk Oblast, US officials say.

North Korea has already sent some 11,000 troops to the Kursk Oblast, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on November 4.

Clashes are currently underway between Ukrainian and North Korean soldiers, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said on November 5.

North Korean troops have already suffered losses, Zelenskiy confirmed on November 7, without specifying the number.

NATO chief Rutte wants to discuss the threat between Russia and North Korea with Trump

“We have to work together. So I look forward to sitting down with Donald Trump to discuss how we can collectively confront these threats, and what we need to do,” said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.