'Putin has a problem' Ukraine's fighters in Kursk hold on to hope - and learn Korean
The Guardian|November 09, 2024
Vitalii Ovcharenko has been learning a new language: Korean. "I've picked up a few phrases," he said. "They are: 'Hands up, drop your weapon, and come to us slowly.' Also: 'Throw off your body armour and helmet.'"
Luke Harding
'Putin has a problem' Ukraine's fighters in Kursk hold on to hope - and learn Korean

Ovcharenko, a Ukrainian soldier, has been mugging up with the help of a three-page printed guide which now lives at his temporary home in Russia's Kursk region, next to a shelf of detective novels and histories celebrating Stalin.

The books belong to the property's former owner, a local who fled in August when Ukraine launched a counter-invasion.

Three months on, Kyiv controls a significant chunk of Russian territory centred around Sudzha.

So far, Moscow has been unable to end this embarrassing situation. It has launched air attacks on Ukrainian positions with kamikaze drones and guided bombs and carries out assaults using small infantry groups. Amid heavy losses, Vladimir Putin has turned to a new and extraordinary source of manpower: North Korean troops, sent by the regime's supreme leader Kim Jong-un.

According to US intelligence, 10,000 North Korean soldiers have arrived in Russia. These reinforcements - seen in videos gathering at ranges in Russia's far eastern Khabarovsk region - are already fighting near Sudzha. A "small engagement" took place this week, Kyiv says. North Korea has pledged to support Moscow until it achieves a "great victory".

What exactly their impact will be on the battle is unclear. Ukrainian soldiers seem largely unconcerned. "We don't know how Moscow will train them or communicate with them," Ovcharenko said. "They might be fanatical professionals with totalitarian souls. Or guys lacking experience from another continent. Either way, we're ready for the threat. They will just die uselessly."

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has hinted that Kursk could play a role in negotiations, following Trump's return to the White House.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 09, 2024-Ausgabe von The Guardian.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 09, 2024-Ausgabe von The Guardian.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS THE GUARDIANAlle anzeigen
Money hacks How to save on winter sports holidays
The Guardian

Money hacks How to save on winter sports holidays

When it comes to skiing and snowboarding, going to Europe will always be cheaper than flying to somewhere such as the US or Canada - but costs vary massively on the continent.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 23, 2024
Scam refund claims
The Guardian

Scam refund claims

Some victims of bank transfer scams will not get a penny back despite beefed-up rules designed to better protect consumers from fraudsters because several big banks have introduced an excess on refund claims.

time-read
1 min  |
November 23, 2024
Packaged accounts Are the perks worth the money?
The Guardian

Packaged accounts Are the perks worth the money?

For a monthly fee, banks offer everyday banking with all kinds of enticing extras. Laura Whateley examines how the 'freebies' stack up

time-read
6 Minuten  |
November 23, 2024
Spain floods force firms to look south for oranges
The Guardian

Spain floods force firms to look south for oranges

Some British retailers and wholesalers have been forced to switch to sourcing oranges from South Africa and South America earlier than usual after last month's floods in eastern Spain left farmers struggling to harvest and ship their crops.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 23, 2024
Northvolt boss resigns after EV battery firm files for bankruptcy
The Guardian

Northvolt boss resigns after EV battery firm files for bankruptcy

The chief executive of Northvolt has resigned after the Swedish battery startup filed for bankruptcy protection in the US.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 23, 2024
Electric dream sours Carmakers fight strict EV rules as fines loom
The Guardian

Electric dream sours Carmakers fight strict EV rules as fines loom

When Ford announced this week that it was cutting 800 jobs in the UK, the US carmaker had stern words for the government.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 23, 2024
The Guardian

Irish tycoon bids to buy out Yorkshire Post owner

National World, the owner of the Scotsman and Yorkshire Post - and underbidder in the auction for the Telegraph - has received a buyout proposal from largest shareholder.

time-read
1 min  |
November 23, 2024
Bitcoin rises after US SEC chair says he will step down
The Guardian

Bitcoin rises after US SEC chair says he will step down

Cryptocurrencies rose sharply immediately after one of the industry's biggest critics, Gary Gensler, said he would stand down as the head of the US financial regulator when president-elect Donald Trump was inaugurated in January.

time-read
1 min  |
November 23, 2024
Feeling the strain Rising bills and Trump policies to add to pressure on households
The Guardian

Feeling the strain Rising bills and Trump policies to add to pressure on households

Labour swept to power in the wake of a punishing cost of living crisis that hit households hard, with the price of food and energy rocketing, alongside the impact on mortgage rates of Liz Truss's disastrous mini-budget.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 23, 2024
Budget blamed for end to 12 months of expansion as optimism slumps
The Guardian

Budget blamed for end to 12 months of expansion as optimism slumps

Labour's first budget in 14 years has been given the \"thumbs down\" by private sector businesses, with Rachel Reeves's measures blamed for the end to a 12-month run of expansion and a fall in retail sales.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 23, 2024