 "Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sit in a vehicle during their visit to Beijing. KCNA/Reuters")
Amid growing speculation that Russia may resume nuclear weapons testing, the Kremlin on Friday (7 November, 2025 ) defended a reported ballistic missile launch by North Korea. The statement came as South Korea accused its neighbour of firing the missile, just a week after US President Donald Trump approved Seoul’s plan to develop a nuclear-powered submarine.
‘Legitimate right to ensure security,’ says Kremlin
The Kremlin described Pyongyang — a key ally for Moscow amid the Ukraine conflict — as having a “legitimate right” to conduct such tests.
“We are respectful of the legitimate right of our friends in the DPRK (North Korea) to ensure their security and take measures for it,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, including AFP, during a daily briefing.
South Korea’s military said the missile was launched around 12:35 pm (0335 GMT) from an area north of Pyongyang and flew approximately 700 kilometres (435 miles).
The United States sharply condemned the launch, calling it “absolutely unforgivable.”
Russia’s renewed interest in nuclear testing
The development came just a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin hinted that Moscow could resume nuclear testing if Washington did so. Speaking at a security council meeting in Moscow on Wednesday (5 November), Putin said he had instructed his defence, foreign and security ministries to “gather information” on the United States’ nuclear test plans.
“The so-called modernity of our nuclear deterrent forces is at the highest level,” Putin said, claiming it was higher than that of any other nuclear power.
His comments followed Trump’s statement that America would restart its own nuclear tests, fuelling concerns of a new global arms race.
In the 21st century, only North Korea has conducted a full-fledged nuclear test — the last one taking place in 2017. Although Russia recently tested two nuclear weapons, those were classified as “low-yield” tests rather than full explosions.
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View AllTrump accuses several nations of secret tests
Earlier, on Sunday (2 November, 2025), Trump claimed that other nations were conducting clandestine nuclear tests, including Pakistan, North Korea, China, and Russia.
“No, we’re going to test because they test and others test. And certainly North Korea’s been testing. Pakistan’s been testing,” Trump said.
“You don’t necessarily know where they’re testing. They test way underground where people don’t know exactly what’s happening with the test,” he added.