Russia and North Korea may use the new bridge for military transport — The Guardian
Russia and North Korea are completing construction of the first road bridge between the two countries, which could become part of the infrastructure supporting Russia in its war against Ukraine. This is the conclusion reached by Ukrainian investigators from the Truth Hounds project in a report shared with The Guardian.
The bridge across the Tuman River will connect the Russian town of Khasan in Primorsky Krai with the North Korean town of Tuman-gang. According to Truth Hounds’ assessment, the road link will allow some shipments to be concealed from Western intelligence, as trucks are harder to track via satellite imagery than trains.
Investigators suggest that the new route could be used to move military cargo, construction crews, and North Korean officials, as well as to transport resources and technology between the countries.
Officially, Moscow and Pyongyang state that the bridge is being built to promote trade and tourism. At the same time, analysts point out that the border regions are sparsely populated, and tourist traffic between the countries remains limited. The project’s cost is estimated at approximately $100 million—nearly three times the average volume of bilateral trade in 2024.
The bridge was scheduled to open in June 2026, but the Russian side did not complete the work on time. North Korea has already completed its portion of the construction, including customs and quarantine infrastructure.
Moscow and Pyongyang reached an agreement on the bridge’s construction in 2024 following the signing of a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty, which provides for mutual military assistance.
Source: The Guardian
South Korea has provided Ukraine with a new $100 million aid package.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Ukrainian intelligence has detected the Kremlin’s preparations for a new wave of mobilization measures this fall. According to him, Russia may also be planning to bring in another 30,000 troops from North Korea for the war against Ukraine.
Russian Presidential Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to confirm or deny reports that Russia may be bringing in another 30,000 troops from North Korea to fight in the war against Ukraine.
