North Korea’s Kim Jong Un Pledges Unwavering Support for Russia Amid Ukraine War

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has publicly reaffirmed his country's unwavering support for Russia in a message to President Vladimir Putin on Russia Day, calling Putin his "dearest comrade" and praising the bilateral relations as a "genuine relationship between comrades-in-arms." Kim emphasized that it is the unshakable will of both his government and himself to continue strengthening DPRK-Russia ties into a powerful strategic partnership. Notably, Pyongyang confirmed earlier in 2025 that it had deployed over 11,000 troops to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine and transferred ballistic missiles to Russia, actions that have drawn international criticism. The message also highlighted the historic military cooperation between the two nations, framing their alliance as rooted in shared sacrifices and mutual defense of sovereignty. This declaration of support comes amid growing global tensions and further solidifies the strategic and military alignment between North Korea and Russia. The communications were disseminated through North Korea's state media KCNA, marking a significant moment in the evolving Moscow-Pyongyang relationship.