Vladimir Putin has suffered a major blow after 500 North Korean troops fighting for Russia in the war with Ukraine were reportedly killed by British Storm Shadow missiles.
The deadly attack last Wednesday is understood to have killed top Russian Lt-Gen Valery Solodchuk.
It is also believed a further 18 Putin’s officers were wiped out, while another 18 were wounded.
The reports, which are yet to be independentally verified, claim the deadly weapons targeted a Russian command post and underground military facility in the Kursk region, where fighting has been intensifying over recent months.
The devastating troops deaths have also yet to be confirmed by Russian or North Korean authorities.
Last Wednesday, the Daily Express reported it was understood Ukraine had fired several Storm Shadow missiles at targets in the Kursk region.
Images posted to Telegram seemingly showed fragments of the British-French-made missiles after explosions were reported in the village of Marine.
This came after the US gave the go-ahead for Ukraine to use British Storm Shadow missiles to strike deep into Russian territory.
It is a nightmare for Russia and Putin as the weapons have the ability to dodge air defences.
