Russian Forces Intensify Attacks in the Donetsk Direction, Says Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, reported that Russian forces have significantly increased pressure on the Kramatorsk, Toretsk, and Vremivka directions while also conducting intense offensive operations in the Kursk region for the third consecutive day.

Syrskyi made this statement during an online address at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities.

"As of December 17, the Defense Forces are engaged in active combat along a frontline spanning over 1,170 kilometers. The most challenging situation is currently in the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove directions," said Syrskyi.

"Additionally, Russian occupiers have significantly increased pressure on the Kramatorsk, Toretsk, and Vremivka directions. For the third consecutive day, the enemy has been carrying out intense offensive operations in the Kursk region, aiming to push Ukrainian Defense Forces units out of Russian territory," Syrskyi added.

The Commander-in-Chief confirmed that the Russian forces are actively deploying units of the North Korean army.

“North Korean mercenaries have already suffered significant losses,” wrote Syrskyi.

On December 14, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Russia had deployed North Korean soldiers for the first time to attack Ukrainian positions in Russia’s Kursk region.

Since then, Ukraine has reported more than 80 North Korean casualties in Russia's Kursk region.