New Russia–North Korea bridge underscores deepening alliance
The first road link between the two countries will offer a new route for trade and military cooperation
Welcome to Views From Above, a newsletter bringing you satellite imagery snapshots of world events. Today, we are looking at a new road bridge under construction between North Korea and Russia.
Russia and North Korea have grown closer since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. At a 2024 summit, leaders from the two countries agreed to expand economic and military cooperation. But without a road connection in place, direct trade has relied on maritime routes and a single rail link.
The construction of this bridge adds a valuable third route for trade between Pyongyang and Moscow. Its completion will be the latest example of deepening cooperation between the countries, which has already included North Korean forces fighting for Russia against Ukraine. Work on the bridge has been underway for more than a year, and it is expected to be completed in the coming months.
A timelapse of satellite imagery shows major construction beginning on the project in early 2025. Recent reporting and imagery analysis from NK News shows how, in the last few months, construction crews on the Russian and North Korean sides of the Tumen River brought together their ends of the bridge.
As the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine continues into a fifth year, new trade routes between Russia and its partners will be of particular concern for Kyiv and its allies. With countries like North Korea, Russia, China, and Iran deepening ties, joint infrastructure projects like this one could become more common.
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