Ukrainian military officials have warned that North Korean ballistic missiles fired by Russian forces are becoming significantly more precise. Vladimir Putin’s invading forces have been using imported North Korean projectiles since the end of 2023, and their accuracy and performance has changed drastically since then, military sources told Reuters. In the past few weeks, over 20 missiles have hit within 50-100 meters of their intended targets. This not only strengthens Russia’s war effort but also boosts North Korea’s military capabilities.
At the same time, reports indicate that the Trump administration is preparing to present a peace plan for Ukraine at the upcoming security conference in Munich, with US special envoy Keith Kellogg set to introduce it.
Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Depot, 300 POWs Exchanged
A Ukrainian drone attack recently set fire to an oil depot in Russia’s Krasnodar region, part of Kyiv’s ongoing campaign targeting Russian military infrastructure. Recent Ukrainian drone strikes have ignited fires at Russian oil refineries in Volgograd and a gas processing plant in Astrakhan.
Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine completed a prisoner swap, each exchanging 150 prisoners of war.
Ukraine Denies North Korean Soldiers Absent from Front Line in Kursk Oblast
Contrary to reports that North Korean soldiers have been pulled from the front lines, Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov stated that up to 8000 North Korean soldiers are still active in Russia’s Kursk Oblast. Despite a decline in their numbers, the situation remains fluid, Budanov said in an interview with The War Zone magazine published on February 4. Last fall, up to 12,000 North Korean troops were deployed to support Russian forces in Kursk. Reports claim at least 300 North Korean soldiers have died in combat, with another 2,700 wounded. “We have to wait for some time to see if there are any real changes or if this is just lower activity for a couple of days,” Budanov noted.
Ukraine’s Strike on Russian Command Center in Kursk Oblast Causes Major Losses
On February 3, Ukraine’s Air Force carried out a precision strike on a Russian command post near Novoivanovka in Kursk Oblast. The attack, which severely damaged the building, resulted in significant Russian casualties. This operation is part of Ukraine’s broader strategy to weaken Russian military capabilities by targeting key command centers, including a previous strike in Rylsk on January 31.
Kyiv launched a limited incursion into Russia’s Kursk Oblast on August 6, 2024, first capturing about 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of Russian territory. While Ukraine has reportedly lost around half of that territory since then, fighting continues in the region.
Russian Missile Strike on Izium Kills 5, Injures 55
A Russian missile attack on the town of Izium in Kharkiv Oblast on February 4 left at least five people dead and 55 injured. Three children were among those injured in the attack, including a six-year-old boy and two girls, aged 14 and 16. The 14-year-old is in a serious condition, while the other two children are said to be in a condition of medium severity. A pregnant woman was among those killed. The missile targeted the central area of Izium, hitting administrative buildings and residential areas. Governor Oleh Syniehubov noted that no military facilities were located in the targeted area. Izium, a town with a pre-invasion population of 45,000, lies in the southeastern part of Kharkiv Oblast, over 100 kilometers from the regional center, Kharkiv, and around 50 kilometers west of the front line.
Compiled by Ana Dumbadze
