Russia and North Korea near completion of new bridge amid military concerns

A road bridge linking Russia and North Korea at Khasan is almost finished, prompting Kyiv to warn it could enable covert troop movements into Ukraine.

In the remote far-east settlement of Khasan, a new road bridge parallel to the long-standing Korean-Russian Friendship Railway Bridge is nearing completion, ahead of its projected timeline. Russian Transport Minister Andrey Nikitin presented the project as a catalyst for commerce, logistics and cultural exchange, despite official trade figures of only $34 million in 2024 against a $100 million construction outlay. Satellite imagery shows extensive infrastructure, including warehouses and a helicopter pad, raising doubts about the civilian purpose.

Ukrainian human-rights group Truth Hounds and Kyiv officials contend the bridge will facilitate the covert transfer of North Korean troops and armaments to the front lines, citing prior deployments of 14,000-15,000 North Korean personnel in Russia. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned on social media that Russia could bring as many as 30,000 more North Korean fighters, heightening regional security concerns. The development follows a 2024 strategic partnership signed by President Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, which emphasized expanded military cooperation.