North Korea has received help from Russia to put Pyongyang's first military reconnaissance satellite into orbit. The support was promised by President Vladimir Putin during Kim Jong Un's trip to Russia in September. The launch of the carrier rocket that transported the technological system into space took place tonight.

It emerges from some rumors relaunched by South Korea's intelligence: "With regards to the success of this third launch, national intelligence has assessed that there was help from Russia". At the moment "we are unable to determine the satellite's capabilities unless North Korea releases a video" showing the system, said Yoo Sang-bum, a member of the parliamentary intelligence committee.

Moscow's denial is blunt. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said: "The accusations that have been leveled against us are unfounded, they have no proof". North Korea also denied arms and technology transactions, but admitted intensifying military cooperation between the two countries.