Kathmandu— Located in the remote Russian village of Khasan, which shares a 10.5-mile border with North Korea, a new road bridge nearing completion alongside an existing railway link is sparking international concern that Russia may utilize it to bolster its war effort in Ukraine. While officially presented as a project to enhance trade and cultural ties between the two nations – both facing Western sanctions and diplomatic isolation – analysts suggest the infrastructure could facilitate the covert transfer of North Korean troops and weaponry. The bridge’s construction accelerated following a strategic partnership deal signed in June 2024 between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, which prioritized expanded military cooperation.

Growing Military Ties

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moscow and Pyongyang have significantly strengthened their relationship. Both countries are subject to international sanctions and find themselves largely isolated on the world stage. The June 2024 agreement between Putin and Kim formalized a commitment to increased military collaboration, including large-scale weapons shipments and potential deployment of North Korean soldiers to support Russia’s war in Ukraine. Russian Transport Minister Andrey Nikitin stated that the new bridge would “boost bilateral trade, optimize logistics, strengthen cultural ties and transform border regions into dynamically growing economic centers.”

Economic Claims Questioned

Despite official narratives emphasizing economic benefits, data suggests limited current trade between Russia and North Korea – just $34 million in 2024. The bridge project itself, along with associated infrastructure like warehouses and customs facilities, is estimated to cost around $100 million. Ukrainian human rights organization Truth Hounds casts doubt on the viability of tourism as a primary driver for the project, citing North Korea’s heavily restricted travel policies and remote location. They point out that Pyongyang is hundreds of miles from the border, making car travel impractical for most visitors, despite Russia's previous attempts to incentivize tourism with subsidized flights.

Concerns Over Troop and Weapon Transfers

Truth Hounds believes the bridge’s primary purpose is to facilitate deeper military cooperation, specifically enabling the transfer of North Korean personnel and weapons to support Russia’s war in Ukraine. Reports from South Korean, Ukrainian, and US sources last year indicated that between 14,000 and 15,000 North Korean personnel were deployed to assist Russian forces, including in the Kursk region. The organization highlights that road transport is more difficult to monitor via satellite compared to rail, allowing for greater flexibility in loading and unloading locations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently warned on X that Russia could deploy up to 30,000 additional North Korean troops.

Reciprocal Military Benefits

Zelenskyy also argues that North Korea stands to gain from the improved military partnership with Russia. He suggests the new bridge will allow Russia to secretly move resources into North Korea, potentially including technology related to nuclear weapons development. According to Zelenskyy, “Russia is helping North Korea learn how to wage modern war, improve its weapons and gain real combat experience in using them.” This exchange poses a broader threat, he warned, extending to all of Asia within range of North Korean missiles.

The new bridge is nearing completion, with the potential for increased traffic expected in the coming months. International observers continue to monitor the situation closely, assessing whether the infrastructure will be used primarily for economic purposes or to further escalate the conflict in Ukraine and bolster North Korea’s military capabilities.

(With inputs from DW)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.