North Korea is set to treble the number of its troops fighting for Russia along the front lines with Ukraine, sending an additional 25,000 to 30,000 soldiers to assist Moscow, according to an intelligence assessment from Ukrainian officials.

Kim Jong-un highlighted Pyongyang’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine by showing his people, for the first time, images of North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian troops.

North Korean state TV aired footage showing Kim Jong Un placing a flag on a soldier’s coffin who was reportedly killed while serving with Russian forces.

An emboldened Russia has ramped up military offensives on two fronts in Ukraine. That is scattering Kyiv’s precious reserve troops and threatening to expand the fighting to a new Ukrainian region as each side seeks an advantage before the fighting season wanes in the autumn.

Moscow's forces made gains in the Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

An emboldened Russia has ramped up military offensives on two fronts in Ukraine. That is scattering Kyiv’s precious reserve troops and threatening to expand the fighting to a new Ukrainian

Russian authorities said at least three people were killed as Ukraine claimed an attack on a military plant in the city of Izhevsk.

On Tuesday the White House said that it had cut off some weapons deliveries to Ukraine in order "to put America's interests first".

Security experts warn Pentagon's decision to withhold promised defense systems from Ukraine may embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin and undermine leverage for ceasefire talks as Russia escalates.