Ukrainian forces are at risk of losing control over the territories gained in the Kursk region, potentially weakening the entire frontline. Ukraine has already lost 40 percent of the land they gained in Russia.

Five months after their shock offensive into Russia, Ukrainian troops are bloodied by daily combat losses and demoralized by the rising risk of defeat in Kursk.

Ukraine's HUR military spy agency said on Monday that North Korean units fighting for Russia sustained losses of at least 30 soldiers killed or wounded around several villages on the front in Russia's Kursk region over the weekend.