Key bridge linking North Korea and Russia almost finished, satellite images show

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Key bridge linking North Korea and Russia almost finished, satellite images show41 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleThomas CopelandBBC VerifyBBCThe first road bridge connecting allies North Korea and Russia is nearing completion, satellite images analysed by Verify show. It's the latest sign of the deepening relationship between Pyongyang and Moscow that has seen North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. "This bridge will offer a useful route to transfer military goods and munitions - both to North Korea and to Russia," said Dr Edward Howell, Korea Foundation Fellow at the Chatham House think tank.

The new road across the Tumen River is located a few hundred meters from the only other bridge between the two countries - a rail connection known as the "Friendship Bridge". The latest satellite imagery shows the kilometre-long bridge alongside several new access roads, a border checkpoint, support infrastructure and parking facilities. Experts say this indicates the bridge is expected to become an important trade route between the two countries.

The Details

An agreement to build the crossing was reached during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Pyongyang in June 2024 when he met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Construction began about a year later and Verify has been using satellite imagery to track its progress. The crossing, known as the Khasan–Tumangang Bridge, has been built to handle up to 300 vehicles and 2,850 people a day, according to Russia's transport ministry.

The total cost is estimated to exceed 9bn roubles (£88m; $120m), according to Russian state media. "The speed of construction is a reflection of the volume of trade activity between the two sides," said Victor Cha from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) think tank. "This is spurred largely by North Korea's provision of troops, weapons, munitions, and labourers for Putin's war in Ukraine," he said.

Russian and North Korean drivers will likely be expected to transfer over lorries full of goods at the crossing because they will be restricted from operating vehicles further into each other's territories, according to the CSIS. The countries held a ceremony on 21 April to mark the joining of the two sides of the bridge and Russia's embassy in North Korea has said construction is set to be completed on 19 June. Russian Transport MinistryAn image released by the Russian Transport Ministry showing the ceremony marking the connection of the two sides of the new road bridgeRussia's foreign ministry said the bridge's opening will "become a truly landmark stage in Russian–Korean relations.

Its significance goes far beyond a purely engineering task". Rail traffic over the nearby Friendship Bridge has remained high during the construction of the road bridge as trade between the two countries has expanded, according to the CSIS.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.