[Today's Prayer] 50,000 Russian-North Korean troops gathered… Will 'Kursk, the place of tension' become the biggest battleground?

The Kursk region of Russia, which gained momentum after Ukraine took it by surprise attack in August, is emerging as the biggest battleground in this war. On the 10th (local time), foreign media outlets such as CNN and the New York Times reported that Russia had gathered about 50,000 troops, including North Korean troops, to reclaim the Kursk territory that was taken by Ukraine.

These media reports quoted US and Ukrainian officials, showing that a large-scale battle is imminent here. In particular, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on the 7th that about 11,000 North Korean troops are stationed in Kursk.

Earlier, Ukraine achieved success by seizing some areas through a surprise attack on Kursk region, which borders Ukraine in southwestern Russia, on August 6th. In particular, this was not only the first strategic surprise attack by the Ukrainian army, but also a humiliating incident for Russia, in which it lost its own territory for the first time since World War II. The sudden attack on Kursk, even in the midst of Ukraine's losing battle, was interpreted as a strategic plan to use it as a card for future peace negotiations with Russia.

However, on the other hand, the Ukrainian army had to pay the price of having a significant number of troops deployed to Kursk, while having its eastern front breached. For this reason, some criticized that the Kursk invasion boosted the morale of Ukrainian citizens, but did not force the Russian army to withdraw from the front line, and only weakened its defenses. Ukraine was in an even more difficult situation when it was reported that Russia later recaptured half of the Kursk territory that had been occupied by Ukraine.

According to reports, the Russian army gathered a total of 50,000 troops, including North Korean troops, in Kursk without withdrawing troops from the eastern Ukrainian front this time, creating a framework for the Russian army to advance simultaneously on multiple fronts.

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Source: Seoul Shinmun

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)

The war between Russia and Ukraine, which has continued for two years due to political and economic reasons, is in a territorial battle with no room for negotiation. We also hear that 10,000 North Korean soldiers, who are of the same ethnicity as South Korea, have been drafted and are in the midst of the war.

Jesus, who is our high priest, not only are many people losing their homes and lives, but there are also those who are having to sacrifice their youth to the horrors of war. Lord, who intercedes for us, please have mercy on the two nations who are like prisoners, unable to ask for help from anyone and are just groaning, and even for the young men who are being drafted into the war.

Please destroy the schemes of the devil that are taking the lives of innocent youths, and let the withdrawal of the North Korean army and negotiations for the war come to fruition quickly, and free them from the power of sin and death that have bound them.

Lord, we pray that the youth of all nations and peoples in the midst of persecution and suffering will take refuge in Jehovah and be reborn as those who praise only God, who is a God of love. Please let the work of revival come upon this land to welcome Jesus Christ, who has already triumphed over all sins and prays for us with tears.

Therefore, may the unity of Russia and Ukraine be achieved, and may you begin the new work of uniting the young generation of churches around the world to prepare the way for the Lord's return and declare his second coming!