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 soldiers have been deployed to fight for Russia, repelling Ukraine’s incursion in the border region of Kursk. CNN’s Nick Paton Walsh gained rare insight into their brutal and near-suicidal tactics,

Russia on Sunday claimed its troops had captured a strategically important town in eastern Ukraine, as part of a grinding campaign to weaken Kyiv’s grip on the country’s industrial heartland.

Multiple defectors from North Korea spoke to NBC News about the mindset of soldiers sent to fight for Russia in Ukraine.

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.