Ukraine War Update: North Korean Troops Face Heavy Losses

The war in Ukraine has taken a new turn, with reports of North Korean troops being deployed in Russia's Kursk region and suffering heavy losses. Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, mentioned in a recent video address that these North Korean soldiers are being used as cannon fodder by Russian forces. He claimed that the North Koreans are taking extreme measures to avoid capture, and their losses are significant. The US has confirmed this, stating that North Korean generals view these troops as expendable. It's been reported that some wounded North Korean soldiers have died after being captured by Ukrainian forces. The US has pledged fresh military aid to Ukraine, including important air defense systems. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said the US is set to announce a new security assistance package soon, though the exact amount is still unclear. This comes after the US pledged extensive support to Ukraine, including the delivery of hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds, rockets, and armored vehicles by mid-January.Slovakia has expressed readiness to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, despite concerns from Kyiv that such talks could benefit Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin has supported this idea, and it has raised concerns that a settlement could be imposed on terms favorable to Moscow. Ukraine has received its first shipment of liquefied natural gas from the US, which is expected to boost energy security for Ukraine and Europe. This deal comes as Ukraine prepares to end a major gas transit deal with Russia at the end of the year. Russia's state security agency has claimed to have foiled a plot by Ukraine to kill a high-ranking Russian officer and a pro-Russian war blogger using a bomb hidden in a portable music speaker.