Russian marines, together with the North Korean military, launched an offensive in the Kursk region on November 7. But they suffered losses, according to Forbes. “Russian marines apparently backed by North Korean reinforcements threw themselves at Ukrainian positions in Kursk Oblast in western Russia on Thursday,

Amid reports that Pyongyang’s troops are on the front lines, speculation is rampant among Ukrainian troops about when the first large-scale clashes will happen.

The Pentagon estimates there are now "at least 10,000" North Korean forces inside Russia's Kursk Oblast, and Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon's press secretary, said that "those numbers could go up." Ryder said that overall there could be closer to 11,

Marine units such as the 810th Naval Infantry Brigade are notorious for their brutality and poor discipline. On Oct. 10, the 155th Naval Infantry Brigade—deployed on western edge of the Kursk Salient—captured, stripped and executed nine Ukrainian drone operators.

North Korean troops have been involved in combat operations in Russia's Kursk Oblast for the first time. Source: Reuters, citing two US officials, as reported by European Pravda Details: One official,

President Vladimir Putin suggested on Thursday that Russia could hold military drills with North Korea. "We'll see. We could also conduct exercises. Why not?," Putin said, when asked whether Moscow would conduct joint military drills with Pyongyang.