Russian forces retained an offensive footing across the conflict’s principal flashpoints, while Ukraine intensified its deep strikes against Russia. Russian forces retained an offensive footing across the conflict’s principal flashpoints, while Ukraine intensified its deep strikes against Russia. Russian forces retained the initiative and remained on an offensive footing against the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The battlefield contributions of these North Korean troops have reportedly come at a high price, as some 6,000 North Korean personnel have been killed or wounded during the fighting. South Korean intelligence estimated in July 2025 that North Korean deliveries to Russia had exceeded 12 million 152mm-class artillery rounds.