MOSCOW. Aug 15 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a message of congratulations to Chairman of the North Korean National Defense Commission Kim Jong Il to mark the 60th anniversary of North Korea's independence, the presidential press service announced Monday.

In his message, Putin praised the heroism of the Korean people in their long-standing struggle against colonial rule and expressed satisfaction that North Koreans remembered the important role played by Soviet troops in the Far East in the liberation of Korea.