First Moscow–Pyongyang Flight Lands amid Arms Transfers

The first direct commercial flight between Moscow and Pyongyang landed Monday morning, highlighting the growing strategic alignment between Russia and North Korea as both nations deepen military, economic, and political cooperation.

A 440-seat Boeing 777-200ER operated by Nordwind Airlines touched down at Pyongyang Airport at 9:30 a.m. local time after departing Moscow’s Sheremetyevo at 7:30 p.m. on July 27. The eight-hour flight marked the first time in over 70 years of diplomatic ties that direct air travel connects the two capitals. Announcements onboard were made in both Russian and Korean.

The flight carried a Russian delegation led by Minister of Natural Resources Alexander Kozlov, and was met with an official welcome. Crew members and officials were greeted with flowers on arrival.

The return flight to Moscow is scheduled for July 29 at 9:00 a.m. local time. Nordwind was granted permission to operate the route earlier this month, launching ticket sales on July 18 with fares starting at 44,700 rubles ($570). For now, flights will operate once a month, with frequency to be adjusted based on demand.

The resumption of Moscow–Pyongyang flights follows last year’s restart of limited services between Vladivostok and Pyongyang, currently operated by Air Koryo three times a week. Until now, tickets to North Korea were only available as part of organized sightseeing tours.

The flight launch comes amid sweeping military cooperation between the two countries. In June, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu announced that North Korea would send 1,000 military sappers and 5,000 military builders to Russia’s war-torn Kursk region.

These deployments fall under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty signed in June and ratified in November. Shoigu confirmed the long-term role of North Korean forces in Kursk’s reconstruction, where over 6,000 North Korean soldiers have reportedly been killed or wounded since 2024. The U.K. Defence Ministry estimates more than 11,000 North Korean personnel have supported Russian operations.

Plans are also underway to build memorial complexes in both countries to honor fallen North Korean soldiers, including a possible museum in Pyongyang with Russian involvement.