What's happened
Russia's Nordwind Airlines has begun monthly direct flights between Moscow and Pyongyang, marking a significant step in strengthening ties amid ongoing conflicts. The route follows a strategic partnership treaty and increased military cooperation, with North Korea supplying troops and weapons to Russia for its Ukraine campaign. The flights signal deepening diplomatic and military relations.
What's behind the headline?
The launch of regular flights between Moscow and Pyongyang underscores the growing strategic partnership between Russia and North Korea. This move facilitates diplomatic and military cooperation, allowing North Korea to bolster its military exports and technical support to Russia. The flights also serve North Korea's economic interests, as Kim Jong Un seeks to revive tourism and reopen borders. Western and South Korean intelligence reports indicate North Korea has sent over 10,000 troops and significant military supplies to Russia, with casualties reported among North Korean soldiers fighting in Ukraine. The route's establishment signals a shift in regional alliances, challenging Western sanctions and isolating efforts. It also highlights how both nations are leveraging their relationship to counterbalance international pressure, with Russia seeking to circumvent Western sanctions and North Korea aiming to strengthen its military and economic resilience.
What the papers say
The Moscow Times reports that the flight is a historic event, strengthening Russia-North Korea ties, with officials and high-profile passengers like Russian Natural Resources Minister Alexander Kozlov onboard. Business Insider UK emphasizes the significance of the route as Russia's first direct flight to North Korea in over 70 years, highlighting the broader context of military and diplomatic cooperation. The Independent details the passenger experience and North Korea's efforts to boost tourism through new resorts, while Bloomberg notes the regularity of the flights and existing air links via Air Koryo. All sources confirm the deepening of Russia-North Korea relations, driven by shared strategic interests amid ongoing conflicts and sanctions.
How we got here
Recent years have seen Russia and North Korea deepen their alliance, with Pyongyang providing military support to Moscow's efforts in Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin's visit to Pyongyang last year led to a strategic partnership, including a mutual defense clause. The new flights are part of this broader alignment, with North Korea also seeking to reopen its borders for tourism and economic activity after pandemic restrictions.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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Pyongyang is the capital and largest city of North Korea. Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River about 109 kilometers upstream from its mouth on the Yellow Sea. According to the 2008 population census, it has a population of 3,255,288. Pyongyang is a d
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North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia constituting the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.
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Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov is a Russian diplomat and politician. In office since 2004, he is the Foreign Minister of Russia. Previously, he was the Russian Representative to the UN, serving in the role from 1994 to 2004.
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Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia. The megacity stands on the Moskva River in the central portion of Western Russia, with a population estimated at 12.6 million residents within the city limits, while over 17 million residents in the urban