Allies send greetings on Putin's 74th birthday as Ukraine tallies 1.55 million Russian casualties

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In brief

Diplomatic greetings from allied capitals

Russian President Vladimir Putin turned 74 years old on 7 October 2026, receiving formal messages from allied leaders and regional partners. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un addressed Putin as his dearest friend and dear comrade in a message carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency. Kim described Russia's military campaign in Ukraine as a holy war of justice and reaffirmed Pyongyang's commitment to the mutual defense treaty signed in June 2024. In his letter, Kim pledged continued backing for Moscow's political and military objectives.

“I am glad to share a firm friendship with you and to open a new chapter in the development of relations between our countries.”

Kim Jong Un, supreme Leader of North Korea

Regional alignments and Central Asian diplomacy

Leaders across the Commonwealth of Independent States also contacted the Kremlin on Wednesday. Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko discussed bilateral cooperation and the upcoming Commonwealth of Independent States summit scheduled to take place in Turkmenistan. The host of that gathering, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedow, held separate discussions with Putin regarding the agenda. Tajik President Emomali Rahmon emphasized Putin's contribution to expanding bilateral partnership, while Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov confirmed his government's dedication to high-level strategic dialogue. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also extended congratulations according to Russian state news agency TASS. Leaders of breakaway regions aligned with Moscow sent praise as well, including South Ossetian leader Marat Kambolov and Abkhaz leader Badra Gunba.

“Your actions as President of the Russian Federation are an example of political wisdom and strategic thinking. Your contribution to restoring historical justice and protecting the interests of compatriots abroad has been appreciated by millions of citizens.”

Marat Kambolov, leader of South Ossetia

Ukrainian military releases casualty assessment

In Kyiv, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine used Putin's 74th birthday to publish a detailed assessment of Russian battlefield losses since February 2022. Ukrainian military officials stated that total Russian personnel losses reached 1,545,950, including 1,690 casualties over the preceding 24 hours. The figures do not distinguish between soldiers killed and wounded, and they represent Ukrainian estimates that have not undergone independent verification. Ukrainian commanders accompanied the release with a statement asserting that the Russian leadership is driving the country toward destruction.

Ukrainian estimate of Russian heavy equipment lossesunits

Data from the article text

Equipment losses and North Korean military involvement

The Ukrainian tally listed extensive equipment attrition, citing 12,396 tanks, 25,498 armored combat vehicles, 50,836 artillery systems, 2,192 multiple rocket launch systems, and 1,690 air defense systems. The Ukrainian report also registered 551,876 operational-tactical unmanned aerial vehicles lost, alongside 443 airplanes, 356 helicopters, 35 naval vessels, and two submarines. Beyond domestic forces, Russian operations in the Kursk region have drawn direct North Korean troop participation following the 2024 bilateral pact. South Korea's National Intelligence Service estimated that roughly 6,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded in the war, with 10,000 combat troops and 1,000 engineering personnel deployed to Kursk out of a cumulative total estimated between 14,000 and 15,000. Western and South Korean officials state that Moscow provides Pyongyang with economic assistance, military technology, and operational combat experience in exchange.

South Korean intelligence estimates on North Korean forces in Russiapersonnel