North Korea is preparing to send up to 30,000 extra troops to boost Russia’s war effort in Ukraine, Kyiv has claimed.
The troops could arrive in the coming months and may be used to fight in parts of Russian-occupied Ukraine, according to an intelligence assessment seen by Kyiv.
They come on top of the roughly 12,000 sent to Russia in November, who are so far only believed to have fought on Russian territory as Moscow looked to expel Ukrainian troops from its Kursk region.
North Korean troops will be used “to strengthen the Russian contingent, including during the large-scale offensive operations”, the assessment says.
Moscow, it adds, is capable of providing the necessary equipment and weaponry for the extra troops.
The news comes after Washington decided to partially suspend some shipments of air defence missiles and other munitions to Ukraine over concerns about low stockpiles at home.
A senior Kyiv MP has described the decision as “painful”, while the Kremlin says it will bring the war to a quicker end.
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Key Points
- North Korea set to send up to 30,000 troops to fight for Russia, Kyiv claims
- US partial weapons embargo 'painful' for Kyiv, says senior MP
- Kyiv summons top US diplomat over partial weapons suspension
- Kremlin: US decision to halt some weapons will bring quicker end to conflict
- US halts some weapons shipments to Ukraine due to low stockpiles, sources say
- Russian attack on hospital injures eight
France requested Macron-Putin call, says Kremlin
14:00
,
Alex Croft
The Kremlin has said it was France that asked for president Emmanuel Macron to speak by phone with Vladimir Putin after a pause of nearly three years and that the two leaders had a "very substantive" discussion.
The two leaders spoke on Tuesday and discussed the Iran-Israel conflict and Ukraine, the first such exchange between the two men since September 2022.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the call had lasted for more than two hours.
US halt to military aid will only 'encourage the aggressor', says Kyiv
13:38
,
Alex Croft
The Ukrainian foreign and defence ministries have responded to the news that the US is set to halt some military aid to Kyiv.
Shipments of air defence missiles and other munitions have been halted due to concerns over the US’ own stockpiles at home.
Here is how the Ukrainian government has responded:
The Ukrainian side emphasised that any delay or procrastination in supporting Ukraine's defense capabilities will only encourage the aggressor to continue the war and terror, rather than seek peace.
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry
The Ukrainian side has taken note of reports concerning delays in the delivery of certain elements of previously allocated US defence aid packages and is clarifying the current factual circumstances of these deliveries.
The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has requested a phone call with US counterparts to further clarify the details.
Ukrainian Defence Ministry
What did Putin and Macron discuss in their first exchange since September 2022?
13:01
,
Alex Croft
Vladimir Putin held a "substantial" phone call with French president Emmanuel Macron on the Iran-Israel conflict and Ukraine, the Kremlin said on Tuesday, the first discussion between the two leaders since September 2022.
Mr Macron's office said the call lasted two hours and that the French leader had called for a ceasefire in Ukraine and the start of negotiations on ending the conflict.
The Russian president reiterated his position that any possible peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine should have a "comprehensive and long-term character" and be based on "new territorial realities," the Kremlin quoted Putin as saying.
Putin has previously said Ukraine must accept Russia's annexation of swaths of its territory as part of any peace deal. Mr Macron has said Ukraine alone should decide on whether or not to accept territorial concessions.
During Tuesday's call, Mr Macron's office said, "the president emphasised France's unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
The pair aim to continue their discussions, the French president’s office said. He also spoke with Volodymyr Zelensky before and after the exchange.
Russia fires 118 drones and missiles at Ukraine overnight
12:38
,
Alex Croft
In its daily update, the Ukrainian air force has said Russia fired 118 drones and missiles at Ukraine’s territory overnight.
Four of these were S-300 anti-aircraft missiles, fired alongside 114 Shahed drones and various types of decoy drones, the air force said.
As of 9am local time, air defence units had destroyed 79 of the drones in northern, eastern and southern areas.
Russian munitions struck 14 locations and debris from downed drones fell in two areas, the air force added according to Ukrainska Pravda.
In pictures: Pope Leo meets leaders of Ukrainian Catholic Church in Vatican
12:20
,
Alex Croft
North Korea set to send up to 30,000 troops to fight against Ukraine, Kyiv claims
11:59
,
Alex Croft
North Korea is set to send up to 30,000 additional troops to support Russia’s war effort against Ukraine, an intelligence assessment by Kyiv has claimed.
The troops could arrive in the coming months, CNN reported after seeing the assessment. It would be an addition to the roughly 12,000 sent in November who helped Russia push Ukrainian forces out of its Kursk region.
“There is a great possibility” the troops would fight in parts of Russian-occupied Ukraine, the report states. This would be an escalation after Pyongyang’s troops were previously restricted to fighting on Russian territory.
North Korean troops will be used “to strengthen the Russian contingent, including during the large-scale offensive operations”, the document adds. Moscow, it says, is capable of providing the necessary equipment and weaponry for the extra troops.
Only in late April 2025 did Vladimir Putin publicly admit North Korean troops had been deployed to fight alongside Russian forces.
Which other countries are arming Ukraine, other than the US?
11:30
,
Alex Croft
As we reported earlier, the US is Ukraine’s largest military aid supplier, providing 64.5 per cent of the support it has received so far.
With a handful of weapons transfers being halted by Washington, which countries are Ukraine’s next largest supporters?
Following the US is the UK at 14.5 per cent, then Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, France, and a host of further European countries.
The UK has committed to spending £18 billion on Ukraine, including £13bn on military support and £5bn on non-military.
The EU, meanwhile, has provided huge tranches of humanitarian and financial support, but as an economic bloc it does not provide direct military support.
Ukraine has been supplied with British Storm Shadow missiles, F-16 fighter jets built in the US, Leopard 2 tanks from Germany - despite years of hesitation from Berlin - British challenger tanks, and Polish drones.
Kyiv calls US envoy to foreign ministry over partial weapons suspension
11:07
,
Alex Croft
Kyiv has called the acting US envoy to the foreign ministry to stress the need for continuing military aid to fight Russia’s invasion.
It comes after Washington halted some deliveries of ammunition and missiles to Kyiv.
In a statement, it said deputy foreign minister Mariana Betsa expressed gratitude to deputy chief of mission John Ginkel for US support, but warned that a cut-off in aid, particularly air-defence systems, would embolden Russia.
"The Ukrainian side emphasised that any delay or procrastination in supporting Ukraine's defense capabilities will only encourage the aggressor to continue the war and terror, rather than seek peace," it said.
Kremlin: US decision to halt some arms will bring quicker end to conflict
10:53
,
Alex Croft
The Kremlin has welcomed the news that the US has halted some weapons deliveries to Ukraine, saying it will bring a quicker end to the conflict.
“The fewer weapons are delivered the sooner the conflict will end”, the Kremlin said in response to the news.
Washington halted some shipments of air defence missiles and other precision munitions to Ukraine over concerns that US stockpiles are too low, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters news agency on Tuesday.
A senior Ukrainian lawmaker called Washington's decision "painful".
In pictures: Kharkiv in flames after Russian attack
10:31
,
Alex Croft
Fires sparked and building destroyed in Russian attack on Kharkiv
10:01
,
Alex Croft
Another night of aerial bombardment by Russia has seen a building destroyed in the northeastern city of Kharkiv, and prompting fires to erupt.
Two people were evacuated form the building by the Red Cross and no casualties have been reported, the head of the Kharkiv military administration Ihor Terekhov said on Telegram.
“As a result of the attack on the Novobavarsky district, a one-story non-residential building is on fire,” Mr Terekhov said.
“In addition to the fire at the arrival site in the Novobavarsky district, windows in nearby houses were broken. Fortunately, no casualties.”
US decision to halt some arms shipments 'painful' for Kyiv, says senior MP
09:52
,
Alex Croft
The US decision to halt some arms shipments to Ukraine including air-defence missiles is "painful" for Kyiv, a senior Ukrainian lawmaker said on Wednesday.
"This decision is certainly very unpleasant for us," Fedir Venislavskyi, a lawmaker from the ruling Servant of the People party and a member of parliament's defence committee, told reporters in Kyiv.
"It's painful, and against the background of the terrorist attacks which Russia commits against Ukraine...it's a very unpleasant situation."
Russia occupies more than 500 sq km in June - DeepState battlefield map
09:30
,
Alex Croft
The month of June saw the most significant Russian advances this year, according to authoritative Ukrainian frontline map DeepState.
Russian forces occupied 556 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory in June, recorded largely on the Novopavlivka and Pokrovsk fronts.
"The trend from May, unfortunately, continued in June. As a reminder, during the most critical month for us – November – the Russians advanced by 730 sq km,” military analysts from DeepState said according to Ukrainska Pravda.
“The largest advances were recorded on the Novopavlivka and Pokrovsk fronts – 29 per cent and 27 per cent respectively. Sumy Oblast also ranks among the top with 18 per cent. This means three-quarters of all advances took place in just three areas.”
Mapped: Where is the industrial plant hit by Ukraine deep inside Russia?
09:18
,
Alex Croft
Man injured in attack on Kherson - local authorities
08:59
,
Alex Croft
One person has been injured in the southern city of Kherson following a Russian air attack on Wednesday morning, local authorities said.
The man in his 50s was hospitalised after suffering a blast injury and broken arm.
"The occupying forces attacked the Korabelnyi district of Kherson at around 04:00. A 52-year-old man was hit,” Kherson’s military administration said in a statement.
Hours earlier, Russian forces had attacked a hospital in the souther city, injuring eight people.
Ukraine strikes industrial plant deep inside Russian territory - ICYMI
08:42
,
Alex Croft
A Ukrainian drone hit an industrial plant in Izhevsk, about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) east of Moscow on Tuesday, in one of the deepest strikes on Russian territory.
Three people were killed and 35 injured, said Alexander Brechalov, head of the Udmurtia region, said. The plant's workers were evacuated, he added.
The drone struck the Kupol Electromechanical Plant, which produces air defense systems and drones for the Russian military, according to an official with Ukraine's Security Service, the SBU.
At least two direct hits were recorded on the plant's buildings, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.
Ukraine has for months been using domestically produced long-range drones to strike plants, storage sites and logistical hubs deep inside Russian territory.
In May last year, a Ukrainian drone hit an early-warning radar in the Russian city of Orsk, some 1,800 kilometers (1,120 miles) from the Ukrainian border, Kyiv officials claimed.
Russian attack on hospital injures eight
08:28
,
Alex Croft
Last night, news emerged that a hospital in Ukraine’s southern city of Kherson had been attacked, injuring eight people.
Local authorities said Russia attacked the facility late on Tuesday. "A healthcare facility has been damaged and five patients and three nurses have been injured in the enemy attack,” said the chief of Kherson’s military adminstration, Oleksandr Prokudin.
A 44-year-old worker in the hospital was hospitalised with a shrapnel wound to the chest, Mr Prokudin said.
"Two others, aged 54 and 44, are being treated on an outpatient basis,” he added.
“Four injured patients, two men aged 58 and 60 and two women aged 64 and 57, remain in the medical facility. They have blast injuries, concussion and various shrapnel wounds.
“Another injured person, a 69-year-old woman, received medical treatment but refused hospitalisation."
Supplying Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine an 'option', says Merz
07:59
,
Alex Croft
German chancellor Friedrich Merz has said it remains an “option” for Berlin to send Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine - but stressed that Germany would “not become a party to the war”.
Speaking to Tagesschau, Mr Merz said: "It has always been clear that, if we supply Taurus missiles, the weapons will be used not by German soldiers but by Ukrainians. The same applies to the other cruise missiles supplied by the United Kingdom or France."
Training Ukrainian troops on the missile system - which the chancellor said is “extraordinarily sophisticated” - would take at least six months.
He added: "I have also said that, in future, we will no longer discuss publicly what weapons we supply or what we are doing to support Ukrainian soldiers, because I want Putin to have a certain element of uncertainty about our military actions."
"Only one thing is absolutely clear and I repeat it here: Germany will not become a party to the war."
What has the US armed Ukraine with so far?
07:24
,
Alex Croft
As the US halts the shipments of some weapons and munitions to Kyiv over concerns about stockpiles at home, let’s take a look at what the US has been arming Ukraine with over the course of the war.
The Kiel Institute, which runs a database tracking the level of military support to Ukraine since the war began, says Washington has provided more 64 billion euros (£55 billion) in military support.
Since November, the US-made ATACMS missiles have been used by Ukraine in crucial strikes on targets deep inside Russia, with a range of around 190 miles (300 kilometres).
The US has also provided hundreds of Howitzer artillery weapons, more than 20 tanks, alongside anti-aircraft surface-to-air missile systems and multiple rocket launch systems.
US aid has totaled 114.6 billion euros of financial, humanitarian and military donations to Ukraine since the war began. Of military aid, it has provided 64.5 per cent of the support Ukraine has received.
Putin blames West for his invasion of Ukraine in call with Macron
06:19
,
Namita Singh
Vladimir Putin told Emmanuel Macron on a phone call yesterday that his decision to invade Ukraine was "a direct consequence of the West's policy," which he said had "ignored Russia's security interests" over the course of years.
Any possible peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine should have a "comprehensive and long-term character" and be based on "new territorial realities," the Kremlin quoted Putin as saying.
Putin has previously said Ukraine must accept Russia's annexation of swathes of its territory as part of any peace deal. Macron has said Ukraine alone should decide on whether or not to accept territorial concessions.
During Tuesday's two-hour call, Macron's office said, "the president emphasised France's unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."Macron and Putin aim to continue their discussions on Ukraine and Iran, the French president's office said.
Macron and Putin held regular discussions around the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which was criticised by some European allies, with Macron also visiting Putin in Russia shortly before the invasion in February 2022. They last spoke on the phone in September of that year.
US has provided Ukraine $66bn in military assistance so far
05:52
,
Namita Singh
The halt of some weapons shipments from the US is a blow to Ukraine at a time when Russia has ramped up its attacks, launching its biggest aerial raids of the war so far in recent weeks.
Talks to try and agree a ceasefire between the two sides, efforts championed by US president Donald Trump, have ground to a halt.
To date, the US has provided Ukraine more than $66bn worth of weapons and military assistance since Russia invaded its neighbour in February 2022.
Over the course of the war, the US has routinely pressed for allies to provide air defence systems to Ukraine. But many are reluctant to give up the high-tech systems, particularly countries in Eastern Europe that also feel threatened by Russia.
The US Defense Department did not provide details on what specific weapons were being held back.
"America's military has never been more ready and more capable," spokesperson Sean Parnell said, adding that the major tax cut and spending package moving through Congress "ensures that our weapons and defence systems are modernised to protect against 21st century threats for generations to come".
Pause in Ukraine weapon shipments 'puts America's interests first'
05:41
,
Namita Singh
The pause in shipments of weapons to Ukraine reflects a new set of priorities under president Donald Trump and came after Defense Department officials scrutinised current US stockpiles and raised concerns.
The Pentagon review determined that stocks were too low on some weapons previously pledged, so pending shipments of some items won't be sent, according to a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity to provide information that has not yet been made public.
"This decision was made to put America's interests first following a review of our nation's military support and assistance to other countries across the globe," White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement.
"The strength of the United States Armed Forces remains unquestioned – just ask Iran."That was a reference to Trump recently ordering US missile strikes against nuclear sites in Iran.
Putin, Macron discuss Ukraine in ‘substantive’ phone call
04:48
,
Namita Singh
Russian president Vladimir Putin had a "substantial" phone call with French president Emmanuel Macron on the Iran-Israel conflict and Ukraine, the Kremlin said on Tuesday, the first such exchange between the two leaders since September 2022.
In Paris, Mr Macron's office said the call lasted two hours and that the French leader had called for a ceasefire in Ukraine and the start of negotiations on ending the conflict.
A French diplomatic source said Mr Macron had talked to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky before and after his call with Putin to brief him on the talks. Macron also talked to US president Donald Trump about the exchange.
US halts some missile shipments to Ukraine over low stockpiles, sources say
04:19
,
Namita Singh
The Pentagon has halted some shipments of air defense missiles and other precision munitions to Ukraine over concerns that US stockpiles are too low, two people familiar with the decision said on Tuesday.
The slowing of some weapons shipments promised to Kyiv by former president Joe Biden's administration came in recent days, they said, adding that air defense interceptors to help knock down Russian drones and projectiles are among the items delayed.
In an email, the Pentagon said it was providing president Donald Trump with options to continue military aid to Ukraine in line with the goal of ending Russia's war there.
"At the same time, the department is rigorously examining and adapting its approach to achieving this objective while also preserving US forces' readiness for administration defense priorities," said Elbridge Colby, the undersecretary for policy.
