North Korea and Russia have begun building their first road link, the two countries announced, hailing the construction of a bridge over a border river as a major development that will further expand their booming ties.

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 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,