Russia has publicly defended North Korea’s latest launch of a suspected short-range ballistic missile, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov calling it the “legitimate right” of its partner to ensure its own security and take necessary measures. This defense came just hours after South Korea’s military confirmed that North Korea had fired a ballistic missile toward the East Sea on Friday, November 7, 2025. Russia’s supportive stance signals yet another example of the deepening strategic and military alignment between Moscow and Pyongyang.
The statement follows a flurry of high-level military and political exchanges, including a visit by a Russian Deputy Defense Minister to Pyongyang earlier in November to discuss strengthening cooperation between their military-political organs. Regional intelligence reports suggest North Korea has provided substantial support to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine, including sending artillery and ballistic missiles, and reportedly deploying thousands of military construction workers and deminers to regions like Kursk.
Russia’s defense of the launch starkly contrasts with the strong condemnation issued by South Korea, the United States, and Japan, which view the missile tests as provocative acts that violate UN Security Council resolutions and threaten regional stability. Russia’s rhetoric reinforces a shared vision with North Korea for a multipolar world order and challenges the Western-led security framework in Northeast Asia.
