Russia has inaugurated direct commercial flights to North Korea, signaling a deepening relationship with its long-time Asian ally as the war in Ukraine drags on.
The first flight connecting Moscow and Pyongyang took off on Sunday at 16:25 GMT, operated by Nordwind Airlines, and is scheduled to land in the North Korean capital approximately eight hours later.
According to Russia’s transport ministry, the new route will initially operate just once a month. Nordwind Airlines, once known for ferrying Russian tourists to European destinations before the EU’s flight ban on Russian carriers, priced one-way tickets at 45,000 rubles (approximately $570).
“This is a historical event, strengthening the ties between our nations,” said Oleg, a Nordwind employee overseeing the inaugural flight at Sheremetyevo Airport. He declined to provide the number of passengers aboard the flight or give his full name.
Vladimir Poteshkin, Russia’s deputy transport minister, described the moment as unprecedented: “For the first time in more than 70 years of diplomatic relations, we are launching direct flights between the capitals of our countries,” he was quoted as saying via the ministry’s Telegram channel.
Russia’s state news agency TASS confirmed that the first return flight from Pyongyang to Moscow is scheduled for Tuesday.
This new air connection follows the recent reopening of train routes between the two countries on June 17, after being suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beyond transport, Russia and North Korea have significantly ramped up military cooperation. Pyongyang has openly supported Moscow’s war in Ukraine by sending troops and supplying weapons. Last year, both countries signed a mutual defense pact during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea—a move that further solidified their strategic alliance.
In April, North Korea confirmed for the first time that its soldiers had been deployed to the frontlines in Ukraine, fighting alongside Russian forces, underscoring the growing military entanglement between the two isolated states.
What You Should Know
The launch of direct flights between Moscow and Pyongyang marks more than just improved travel—it represents the latest in a string of actions cementing Russia and North Korea’s alliance.
With military cooperation already underway, this new air link adds another layer to a relationship driven by shared interests and increasing global isolation.
