North Korean leader Kim Jong Un says Russia "will prevail" in its fight against what he described as "imperialists.
North Korean state news agency KCNA quoted the reclusive leader as he said that he sent warm wishes to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Russian army, and the people of Russia for their holy fight to preserve world peace.
Kim also congratulated Putin on Tuesday's Victory Day anniversary celebrates the 1945 defeat of Nazi Germany, saying Russia would continue to protect its "autonomy" and the "stability of the region".
North Korea has forged closer ties with the Kremlin and backed Moscow after it invaded Ukraine last year, including its proclamation later of having annexed parts of Ukraine that most U.N. members condemned as illegal.
Earlier today, President Vladimir Putin said that Russians were united in a "sacred" fight with the West over Ukraine that would end in victory and accused the United States and its allies of forgetting the Soviet triumph over the Nazis in World War Two.
The 70-year-old president told veterans and soldiers assembled on Red Square for the annual Victory Day parade that the decisive battles for the fate of our Motherland have always become patriotic, all-national, and sacred.
He added that a real war has again been unleashed against Russia.
