Russia has begun the construction of its first road bridge to North Korea over the Tumen river on the border, marking rapidly advancing bilateral ties with the isolated regional ally.The construction marks the first ever bridge for cars and motor vehicles crossing between Russia and North Korea and is a “significant milestone” in the relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang,

The North Korean announcement came two days after Russia said it had recaptured its Ukraine-controlled region of Kursk with the help of North Korean soldiers.