Blow for Putin as 500 North Korean troops ‘killed by British Storm Shadow missiles’

has suffered a major blow after 500 troops fighting for in the war with 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, .

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

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 to use British Storm Shadow missiles to strike deep into Russian territory.

It is a nightmare for and Putin as the weapons have the ability to dodge air defences.

The £800,000 missiles use GPS to precisely hit targets, and can travel at devastating speeds of up to 600mph.

But just one day after the attack on Wednesday, claimed

This would mark a major escalation in the war as ICBMs have the ability to carry nuclear warheads long distances when striking at targets.