This is reported by the British newspaper Telegraph.
Journalists cite "NATO allies," who state that January 20th — the day of Trump's inauguration — is the deadline by which Russia must reclaim the Kursk region.
Furthermore, the publication includes an assessment from British intelligence, indicating that Russia will intensify attacks on Ukrainian positions in the coming days using kamikaze drones from new launch sites near the border.
On November 10, the New York Times, referencing anonymous Ukrainian and American officials, reported that Russia had gathered a force of 50,000 troops for an offensive in the Kursk region, including North Korean soldiers. The publication noted that the offensive could begin in the coming days. This was later confirmed by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to the NYT, if Russia gains momentum, it may not stop at its borders but attempt to push Ukrainian forces even further back.
Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskiy, also reported in early October that Russia had redeployed around 50,000 troops to the Kursk region, weakening its positions on other fronts in Ukraine. At the same time, the New York Times claims that Russia managed to gather forces without the need to withdraw troops from eastern Ukraine, allowing Moscow to exert pressure on multiple fronts simultaneously.