Pyongyang: North Korea and Russia are set to launch a direct flight route between their capitals, Pyongyang and Moscow, later this month, a Russian news agency has reported. Nordwind Airlines, a Russian budget passenger carrier, will begin direct flights linking the two cities on July 27.

According to Yonhap News Agency, reported that this initiative marks the first time that the North Korean and Russian capitals will be connected by direct air service. The new air route is a result of Russian aviation authorities approving Nordwind's request last month to operate direct flights between Pyongyang and Moscow twice a week. The flight time is approximately eight hours.

Currently, there are direct flights only between Pyongyang and Vladivostok. The introduction of this new route underscores the strengthening ties between North Korea and Russia, who have become key partners for bilateral exchanges and cooperation following the signing of a mutual defense treaty in June last year. Both nations have increased collaboration in various fields, including transportation.

Last month, direct rail services between Pyongyang and Moscow, as well as Pyongyang and Khabarovsk, resumed after COVID-19 suspensions. Additionally, in April, construction began on a road bridge linking the two countries across the Tumen River. During a visit to North Korea's eastern coastal city of Wonsan last week, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced plans to restore maritime transport routes between the countries.