In just two days, Russia has lost up to a battalion of infantry in the Kursk region, according to Zelensky.

In the area of the village of Makhnovka in Kursk, during the battles on January 3 and 4, the Russian army lost up to a battalion of North Korean soldiers, as well as Russian paratroopers. This was reported by President Volodymyr Zelensky in his evening address on Saturday, January 4.

“In particular, during the battles today and yesterday in the area of just one village, Makhnovka in Kursk, the Russian army has lost up to a battalion of North Korean soldiers and Russian paratroopers. And this is significant,” said the president, referencing a report from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi.

Volodymyr Zelensky also highlighted the fighters of the 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade from Lviv.

“Overall, I want to commend the professional and effective actions of our Special Operations Forces and the 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade,” noted the head of state.

It is worth mentioning that the strength of a modern battalion ranges from 400 to 800 personnel.

Volodymyr Zelensky pointed out that fierce fighting continues along the entire front line, with the most intense action reported in the Pokrovsk direction. According to the president, Russian occupiers continue to suffer heavy losses during assaults.

In his address, the president also announced that the upcoming meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the “Ramstein” format, scheduled for January 9, will focus on strengthening Ukraine's air defense.

Additionally, on January 4, the assault group of the 79th Air Assault Brigade reported that during an assault on enemy positions, two paratroopers captured 14 Russians. The brigade is currently deployed in the Kurakhiv direction in Donetsk region.