Moscow: Russia has defended North Korea's recent ballistic missile launch as its "legitimate right," highlighting a growing alignment between the two nations. The statement was made by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, emphasizing North Korea's right to secure its safety and implement necessary measures.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Peskov stated that Russia supports any peacekeeping efforts on the Korean Peninsula that align with North Korea's interests. This defense from Russia comes shortly after South Korea's military confirmed North Korea's launch of a suspected short-range ballistic missile toward the East Sea, marking the sixth such launch by North Korea this year.

In a related development, North Korea criticized the latest U.S. sanctions imposed on eight North Korean individuals and two entities for cybercrime-related money laundering activities. North Korea has vowed to take "proper measures" in response to these sanctions.