A vast £73million bridge is set to connect two of the world’s most dangerous nations. Work on the infrastructure project, which will span the Tumen River which separates allies Russia and North Korea, officially began in late April.
Russian PM Mikhail Mishustin said at the time that the car bridge symbolised “our common desire to strengthen friendly, good-neighbourly relations and increase inter-regional cooperation”. According to Russian state media, the car bridge will span 4.7km (2.9 miles), including approach roads.
Russian newspaper Kommersant, which has close ties to the Kremlin, reports that the bridge is set to be completed by mid 2026, as per BBC News.
The bridge is expected to be able to accomodate 300 vehicles and 2,850 people daily. Reports suggest the it will cost around $100million to build (£73.7million).
Planet Labs satellite imagery shows a border checkpoint on the North Korean side is beginning to take shape, with foundations and concrete walls already constructed, NK Pro reports.
The structure will be located near the existing “Friendship Bridge”, a rail bridge built in Soviet times which is the only current land connection between Russia and North Korea.
Moscow and Pyongyang have deepened their ties since Vladimir Putin’s uprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with the two countries signing a “comprehensive strategic partnership” last year.
North Korea is a totalitarian police state ruled by the Kim dynasty, plagued by widespread poverty and brutal repression.
Its leader Kim Jong-un has offered to support to Moscow as the Russia-Ukraine war continues, and is thought to have sent some 15,000 troops to fight for Russia since last autumn.
Kyiv claims Pyonyang sending 25,000 to 30,000 more, despite the first round of troops sustaining heavy losses.
South Korean lawmakers said in April that North Korea had seen some 4,700 casualties so far, including around 600 fatalities.
Russia is also closely controlled by Putin’s regime, and is in a warzone as Kyiv’s forces continue to strike military targets in the country, while frustrating the advance of the Russian army in Ukraine.
