Russia Launches Direct Flights to North Korea Amid Growing Military Ties
Moscow – July 27, 2025
Russia has officially launched direct commercial flights to North Korea, marking another step in the growing alliance between the two countries as Moscow continues its military campaign in Ukraine.
The first Nordwind Airlines flight from Moscow to Pyongyang took off on Sunday at 16:00 GMT, expected to land in the North Korean capital eight hours later. According to the airline’s website, one-way tickets were priced at 45,000 rubles (approximately $570).
Nordwind Airlines, once a popular charter airline servicing European holiday spots, was forced to halt its operations in the EU due to sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Moscow–Pyongyang route will now operate once a month, as confirmed by Russia’s transport ministry.
A return flight from Pyongyang to Moscow is scheduled for Tuesday, marking the beginning of a regular monthly exchange between the two heavily sanctioned nations.
Rail Links, Military Cooperation, and a Shared Agenda
This development comes shortly after the restoration of train services between Russia and North Korea on June 17, which had been suspended since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The launch of direct flights is widely seen as part of a broader strategy to strengthen logistical and military ties between the two countries. Russia and North Korea signed a mutual defense pact last year during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pyongyang.
In a landmark admission earlier this year, North Korea confirmed it had deployed troops to support Russia’s frontline efforts in Ukraine, a move that further solidified their military alliance and drew international condemnation.
Reports indicate that North Korea has also supplied arms and ammunition to Moscow in defiance of global sanctions.
Global Repercussions
The closer ties between Russia and North Korea are drawing concern from Western nations, who see the alliance as a threat to regional stability in both Eastern Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
Despite their growing cooperation, both countries remain isolated on the world stage, facing harsh sanctions, limited economic outlets, and accusations of human rights violations.
With the resumption of travel links and confirmed military coordination, analysts believe the Russia-North Korea alliance could pose new geopolitical challenges in the years ahead.
