Ukraine is holding parts of Kursk as Trump pushes for negotiations with Russia. That has the potential to work out well for Kyiv.

Russian prosecutors are seeking to recover nearly $33 million of funds that they say were allocated for the defence of the western Kursk region, invaded by Ukraine last year, but stolen instead by corrupt officials.

Russian gains in Ukraine have been slowed by personnel shortages, suggesting Moscow may not be able to sustain the war.

On August 6, Kyiv began the military operation into Kursk, which appeared to take Russian President Vladimir Putin and even Ukraine's allies by surprise. Kyiv later announced it had seized 500 square miles at what was then the lightly-defended border of the Russian region.

The command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine transferred more than 100 paratroopers to the Sudzhansky district, who attempted a counterattack on Russian positions near the Nikolsky farm.

One of our tanks crept out near the front lines,” says Captain Ivan Sekach, an officer with Ukraine’s 110th brigade defending the town. “Ten drones attacked, setting it alight almost immediately.” The fighting instead was done by infantry—small Russian groups of three,

The North Korean troops fighting for Russia are highly trained and will stop at nothing to avoid surrender, Ukrainian sources tell Sam Kiley, The Independent’s World Affairs Editor, in Sumy

North Korea is preparing to send Russia more than 100 artillery systems – originally designed to flatten Seoul – to be used in its war against Ukraine.

Under a prisoner recruitment drive, about 100 criminals have been released from jail to join 129 Brigade to learn how to operate drones. They are among around 6,800 inmates across Ukraine who have joined the armed forces.

Ukraine still has a foothold in Russia’s Kursk region—a potential key bargaining chip in any deal to end the conflict—and even launched some smaller offensive operations earlier this month. Yet Russia has retaken half of the territory that Ukraine seized in its summer offensive.

The officials, who spoke on grounds of anonymity, said that out of the estimated 11,000 troops sent from North Korea, known as DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea), 4,000 were battle casualties.