Russia and North Korea have opened their first road bridge, spanning the Tumen river between the border cities of Rason and Khasan, allowing easier movement of cargo and passengers between the two countries. State media in Pyongyang described it as being for "personnel exchanges, tourism and trade", but the Ukrainian OSINT group Truth Hounds says it is intended primarily to establish a covert military logistics corridor supporting Russia's war in Ukraine, reflecting deepening ties since Moscow and Pyongyang signed a mutual-defence-style partnership treaty in 2024.

Up to 300 vehicles and 2,323 people will be able to cross daily, according to Russian state news agency TASS, with the kilometre-long bridge initially carrying cargo before opening to passengers later this year. Construction took 495 days following delays, after the project was agreed during Putin's 2024 visit to North Korea. Analysts note the pace of building reflects surging trade tied to North Korea's supply of an estimated $7-14 billion in weapons and around 11,000 troops to Russia's war effort, alongside roughly 10,000 North Korean labourers already working in Russia despite a UN ban on such labour.