North Korea and Russia open first road bridge as strategic ties deepen

North Korea and Russia have opened their first road bridge, further strengthening ties between the two countries as they deepen their strategic partnership.

The bridge, named after Yakov Novichenko, a Soviet Red Army soldier, spans the Tumen River and connects the two countries. Pyongyang credits Novichenko with protecting the life of North Korea's first leader Kim Il Sung in 1946 by intercepting a grenade thrown at him and others. 

Construction began in April 2025 following an agreement reached in 2024 during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea. The two countries already have direct air and rail links, but no road connection until now.

It was officially opened on Monday (7 September). The first flag-adorned trucks trundled across the 1 km (0.6 mile) long two-lane bridge as Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and North Korea's Premier Pak Thae Song tuned in by video link to address workers and government officials from both countries.

Mishustin said the bridge would initially accommodate up to 300 vehicles a day and connect to Russia’s federal road network, providing access to the transport corridor linking the Far Eastern city of Vladivostok with St. Petersburg.

“I am convinced that the expansion of cross-border transport infrastructure will provide a powerful impetus for the further development of trade, economic, scientific, technological and cultural cooperation,” said Mishustin, who said ties between Moscow and Pyongyang were “at an unprecedented high level” and called the opening of the bridge “a genuinely historic event.”

He said that the construction of the bridge was not merely an engineering project, but “a new symbol of friendship”.

Trucks will begin using the bridge immediately to transport cargo, the Russian government said. It is expected to become fully operational by the end of the year, when it will also be open to passenger traffic.

Deepening Russia-North Korea ties

Relations between Moscow and Pyongyang have strengthened since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. North Korea has since sent thousands of troops to Russia’s Kursk region.

The new bridge highlights how economic sanctions against North Korea are becoming increasingly ineffective, said Lim Eul-chul, a professor at Kyungnam University’s Institute for Far Eastern Studies in South Korea.

“While North Korea is trying to maximise its own interests, Russia has secured a direct road route for the transport of military supplies, ammunition and manpower, including troops, for its prolonged war in Ukraine,” he added.

Read more: 

• North Korea's Kim and Russia's Putin reaffirm ties on Korean Liberation Day
• Putin hails deepening Russia-North Korea ties in message to Kim
• What we know about North Korea’s expanding role in Russia’s war against Ukraine

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North Korea Politics Russia Ukraine Road bridge Ukraine Russia War