Ukraine is open to discussions with South Korea regarding the potential transfer of two POWs from North Korea, considering the threats they could face upon repatriation, as well as if they refuse to return to their home country,

South Korea’s assessment comes as Ukraine’s stout defence takes a growing toll for every square kilometre Russia seizes.

Though North Korean ballistic missiles account for only a small portion of Russia's missile strikes they carry a large warhead of up to one tonne and have a range of up to 800 km, the military source said. The Iskander-M, an equivalent Russian missile, carries a smaller payload and has a shorter range of 500 km.