Russia and North Korea have cemented closer political and economic ties in recent years, as both countries look to counter Western sanctions and pressure. The cooperation has extended to military matters as well, with Moscow and Pyongyang signing a security deal last year that obliges each country to come to the others defence if attacked.
As part of the new defence pact, North Korea has provided Putin’s army with both soldiers and ammunition for his war in Ukraine. Away from the battlefield, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong un have embarked on an ambitious plan to improve transport links between the two countries.
Russia and North Korea share a short land border, primarily defined by the Tumen River, which is roughly 11 miles long. This border includes a maritime one in the Sea of Japan.
The two countries are also connected by the Korea-Russia Friendship Bridge that allows trains to run between the two countries.
And now plans are well under way to connect Russia with its Asian neighbour via a road bridge.
The bridge is expected to span 4.7 km (2.9 miles) and cost over US$111 million (£82m) at the current exchange rate.
It will be 850 metres long (around half a mile), with Russia aiming to complete 300 metres on its side along with 2.4 km of connecting roads.
The transport link will have two lanes and connect to the newly constructed Khasan border crossing.
The North Korean checkpoint has 10 lanes and a capacity to process 300 vehicles and 2,850 people per day.
Construction on the bridge started in late April, with Russia’s Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin hailing it as a “significant milestone” in relations between Moscow and Pyongyang.
The Kremlin has just announced it plans to fork out another US$40 million (£30m) to build its own border checkpoint.
It comes as the first passenger train since 2020 departed Pyongyang for Moscow on Tuesday.
The line is considered the longest passenger rail route in the world, and is over 10,000km (6,200 miles) long and takes just over eight days.
North Korea sealed its borders in early 2020, barring even its own citizens from re-entering.
Limited cross-border railway trade resumed in 2022, followed by a 17-minute passenger route between border towns last December.