Russia and North Korea further fostered their budding alliance with the construction of a new bridge connection between the two countries that have been increasingly isolated from the West. The land bridge over the Tumannaya River will be the first road link between the two countries — previously,

The two countries have vowed to expand bilateral relations after North Korea sent troops and weapons in support of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Russia’s Tass news agency reported Wednesday that the bridge would be 1 kilometer (0.6 mile) long and its construction is expected to take 1 ½ years,