Ukrainian special operations forces have given an insight into the brutal, near-suicidal tactics of the North Koreans they have faced in intense fighting in the Russian border region of Kursk.

North Korean troops seem to temporarily withdraw from one section of front in Kursk Oblast, military says Russia claims to capture Velyka Novosilka, Ukraine admits partial retreat but says battles ongoing Russia intensifies attacks near Pokrovsk,

North Korea is poised to send more than 100 of its fearsome M1989 Koksan howitzers to Vladimir Putin's troops in Ukraine, a top general has claimed.

British intelligence has reported that one-third of the troops deployed alongside Russian forces in Ukraine are already out of action. Pyongyang sent a contingent of 12,000 soldiers to Russia to assist local forces in regaining lost territory in the Kursk region,

Andriy Kowalenko, head of the Centre for Counteracting Disinformation at the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, reported that Russia is increasingly dependent on artillery supplies from North Korea.