North Korean troops are playing a "pivotal role" in Russia’s offensive in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces are reportedly under growing pressure, according to Kyiv.

Russia has retaken about two-thirds of the territory Ukraine seized last summer in the Kursk region of Russia, but at a fearful cost in lives.

South Korea’s spy agency says North Korea appears to have sent additional troops to Russia, after its soldiers deployed on the Russian-Ukraine fronts suffered heavy casualties.