North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country and Russia have forged a deep bond through their involvement in the Ukraine war. He made the remarks on Saturday while sending New Year’s greetings to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In a message released by the state-run KCNA news agency, Kim described 2025 as a “really meaningful year” for relations between the two countries. He said their alliance was strengthened by “sharing blood, life and death in the same trench.”

Troop deployment to support Moscow

According to South Korean and Western intelligence agencies, North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. Russia is now nearing four years since it launched its invasion.

Pyongyang officially confirmed only in April that it had deployed soldiers to assist Russia’s military campaign. It also admitted that North Korean troops were killed during combat operations.

Losses acknowledged by Pyongyang

Earlier this month, North Korea revealed that it had sent troops to clear mines in Russia’s Kursk region in August 2025. Kim said the mission lasted 120 days.

In a speech on December 13 to mark the return of the unit, Kim stated that at least nine soldiers from an engineering regiment lost their lives during the deployment.

Missile push alongside diplomacy

Kim sent his New Year’s message to Putin just one day after ordering officials to increase missile production. This decision came amid a rise in North Korea’s missile testing activity.

Analysts say Pyongyang’s missile tests aim to improve accuracy, strengthen precision strike abilities, and challenge both the United States and South Korea. They also believe the tests help North Korea evaluate weapons before exporting them to Russia.

Weapons, aid, and mutual support

Along with troops, North Korea has supplied Russia with artillery shells, missiles, and long-range rocket systems. These supplies have boosted Moscow’s military capacity during the war.

In return, analysts say Russia has provided North Korea with financial assistance, military technology, and essential food and energy supplies. This exchange has further tightened ties between the two countries as the Ukraine conflict continues.