The first bridge connecting allies North Korea and Russia is near completion, show satellite images analyzed by BBC Verify.

It is the latest sign of the tightening of relations between Pyongyang and Moscow, which has led North Korean troops to fight alongside Russian forces following the large-scale invasion of Ukraine.

“This bridge will provide a useful route for transporting military goods and ammunition between North Korea and Russia,” explains Edward Howell, of the Korea Foundation at the Chatham House research center.

The new road over the Tumen river is located a few meters from the other bridge that connects both countries: a railway connection known as “The bridge of friendship”.

The latest satellite images show the bridge, which is a kilometre long, along with several new access roads, a border post, support infrastructure and parking areas.

The experts point out that the bridge will also become an important trade route between both countries.

The agreement to build the bridge was reached during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Pyongyang in June 2024, when he met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Construction started a year ago and the BBC has been using satellite images to track its progress.

The total cost of the bridge is believed to reach US$120 million, according to Russian state media.

“The speed of construction is a reflection of the volume of trade activity between both countries,” points out Victor Cha, who belongs to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

“This is largely due to North Korea’s supply of troops, weapons, ammunition and manpower for Putin’s war in Ukraine,” he stated.

A bridge symbol

According to CSIS, Russian and North Korean drivers are likely to be expected to transfer trucks loaded with goods at the border crossing as they will be prohibited from driving the vehicles beyond their respective territories.

The countries held a ceremony on April 21 to mark the joining of both sides of the bridge, and the Russian embassy in North Korea has indicated that construction is scheduled to be completed on June 19.

Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the opening of the bridge “will become a truly historical stage in Russian-Korean relations. Its importance goes far beyond a purely engineering task.”

Rail traffic across the “Bridge of Friendship” has remained high during construction of the road bridge, while trade between both countries has expanded, according to CSIS.

“It is fair to say that this connection, before the war in Ukraine, was one of the least active links between North Korea and its two neighbors,” Cha said.

In addition to agreeing on the construction of the bridge, Putin and Kim signed a historic agreement during the 2024 visit, committing Russia and North Korea to help each other in the event of “aggression” against either country.

According to South Korea, the North has sent around 15,000 soldiers to help Russia in its invasion, along with missiles and long-range weapons.

Seoul also estimates that about 2,000 North Koreans have died in the conflict.

Neither Pyongyang nor Moscow have confirmed these figures, but Kim Jong Un and Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov inaugurated Last week they held a memorial in Pyongyang for the North Koreans who died fighting in the Ukrainian war.

Belousov claimed that he discussed long-term military cooperation with North Korean officials, according to Russian news agencies.

In exchange for providing soldiers and artillery, North Korea is believed to have received food, fuel and military technology from Russia.

“The construction of the bridge exemplifies how North Korea ties with Russia appear destined to continue beyond any end of the war in Ukraine,” Howell concluded.

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