The leaders of Russia and North Korea have recently reaffirmed their strong support for each other, particularly as Russia continues its military actions in Ukraine. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reportedly sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing "unshakable support" for Russia's "sacred war" against Ukraine. In the letter, Kim emphasized his belief in Russia's eventual victory and pledged to strengthen cooperation with Moscow. The two nations had signed a defense agreement in 2024, and North Korean troops have been involved in combat operations in Russia's Kursk region during 2024-2025. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed in August that North Korea was preparing to send between 30,000 and 50,000 soldiers to fight on Russian soil again. However, Zelensky did not specify where this information came from. He also accused North Korea of supplying ballistic missiles to the Russian military, though these claims have not been independently verified. In contrast, South Korea’s Central Bank reported in July that North Korea's economy had grown by more than 3% in 2025. This growth is believed to be partly due to its collaboration with Russia, which has provided North Korea with foreign currency, military technology, and substantial aid in the form of food, energy, and financial support. As a symbol of their growing partnership, Russia and North Korea opened their first road link in early September. This new bridge crosses the Toumanaya River, which marks the short border between the two countries. The infrastructure project highlights the increasing level of cooperation and integration between the two nations, despite their isolation from much of the global community.