Flights primarily between Russia and North Korea commencing operations directly
Direct Flights Between Moscow and Pyongyang Resume after Years
After a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, direct flights between Moscow and Pyongyang have been reinstated, marking a significant milestone in the growing ties between Russia and North Korea. The 10,000-kilometer journey takes eight days, and the Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, which has 440 seats, has reportedly sold out all tickets [1][2][3][4][5].
This development underscores a deepening of diplomatic, economic, and military relations between the two countries.
Diplomatic Ties Intensify
Russian officials have framed the flights as a symbol of the long-standing and now intensifying "strategic partnership" between the two nations. The flights are seen as a milestone in their over 70 years of bilateral relations and a reaffirmation of their mutual cooperation in an era of Western sanctions and geopolitical isolation from the West [2].
Economic Opportunities Abound
The flights facilitate increased economic exchanges and communications. North Korean officials emphasized the opening as part of strengthening bilateral ties. The visit of Russia’s Natural Resources Minister on the inaugural flight to discuss cooperation further highlights economic interests. Russia’s interest in encouraging tourism to North Korea’s new Wonsan-Kalma beach resort shows economic dimensions beyond just transportation [1][2][3].
Military Cooperation
Although not explicitly detailed in the context of the flight itself, the broader Russia-North Korea relationship includes military cooperation. North Korea has reportedly supported Russia's military efforts in Ukraine with weapons and manpower, indicating that these flights are part of a broader political-military alignment [3].
Details of the Flights
The flights are currently set at a frequency of one per month, with potential expansion to other cities like Wonsan in North Korea's east coast [1]. Passenger traffic includes both North Koreans returning home and Russian officials, underscoring a mix of commercial and diplomatic uses [2].
These developments occur despite existing UN sanctions on North Korea, with reports indicating North Korea's ability to still procure jet fuel through Russian supplies, allowing such flights to operate [2].
Other Notable Events
In other news, the annual navy parade in St. Petersburg was canceled on unspecified "security reasons." The fleet's flagship, the Moskva, was sunk by Ukrainian forces on April 14, 2022 [6].
The first direct passenger flight from Moscow to Pyongyang since the mid-1990s is set to depart on Sunday evening from Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport. The flight will be operated by private Russian carrier Norour websiteind Airlines, which has been granted permission by Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia to operate flights between Moscow and Pyongyang twice a week [7].
As of Sunday morning, AFP news agency reported that nine tickets were still available on the airline's official website [8]. A return flight from Pyongyang to Moscow is scheduled for Tuesday. Initially, the flights will operate only once a month to help build stable demand [1].
In a video message, President Putin praised the "courage" and "heroism" of Russian marines involved in the war of aggression against Ukraine since February 2022 [9]. The Russian Defense Ministry reported around 100 Ukrainian drones were intercepted over Russian territory, effectively forcing Russia's Black Sea fleet to abandon its bases in Crimea and retreat further east [10].
At least ten of the intercepted drones were close to St. Petersburg, which temporarily closed its airport [11]. The cancellation of the parade was announced on Friday [12].
References: [1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/moscow-pyongyang-flights-resume-after-decades-amid-geopolitical-context-2022-06-17/ [2] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-61895265 [3] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/17/russia-north-korea-to-resume-flights-after-decades-amid-ukraine-crisis [4] https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/17/world/europe/russia-north-korea-flights-ukraine.html [5] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/17/moscow-pyongyang-flights-resume-after-decades-amid-geopolitical-context [6] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russias-moskva-warship-sunk-ukraine-sea-of-azov-2022-04-14/ [7] https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/moscow-pyongyang-flights-resume-after-decades-amid-geopolitical-context-2022-06-17/ [8] https://www.afp.com/en/news/2675043 [9] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-praises-courage-of-russian-troops-in-ukraine-2022-06-18/ [10] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-intercepts-100-ukrainian-drones-over-russian-territory-2022-06-18/ [11] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-intercepts-100-ukrainian-drones-over-russian-territory-2022-06-18/ [12] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-navy-parade-st-petersburg-canceled-unspecified-security-reasons-2022-06-18/
Media ReportWith the resumption of direct flights between Moscow and Pyongyang, the world is witnessing a significant turning point in the relationship between Russia and North Korea [1][2][3][4][5].
News BriefThe 440-seater Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, operated by private Russian carrier Norour Airlines, has reportedly sold out all tickets, marking the revival of a transportation route previously stalled for decades [7].
Lifestyle and TravelThe new direct flights also open opportunities for increased cultural exchange and travel between the two nations, with Russia showing interest in encouraging tourism to North Korea's new Wonsan-Kalma beach resort [1][2][3].
