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.

And Volodymyr Zelensky has defended the mobilisation of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians fighting in the war against Russia, stating that if half his army is disbanded then Vladimir Putin “will kill us all”.

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,

Troops from North Korea appear to have fallen back from Russia's frontline after suffering heavy losses when engaging Ukrainian forces.

A Ukrainian special forces commander says North Korean troops have moved back from the fighting for roughly a fortnight

Ukrainian war correspondent Yuriy Butusov published a video showcasing the equipment of a lieutenant colonel from North Korea who was killed during the fighting in the Kursk region. The equipment found with the military officer is considered by the Ukrainian to be evidence of the North Koreans’ good preparation for combat.