Russians can now get direct flights from Moscow to... North Korea
The Boeing 777 aircraft, operated by Russia's Nordwind Airlines, flew from Moscow to Pyongyang yesterday before making the return trip to Russia today.
The two countries re-opened the flight path at the same time as they are seeking to forge closer diplomatic ties.
After the first flight from Moscow arrived in Pyongyang, a video posted on Russian news agency RIA Novosti's Telegram account showed North Korean officials and flight attendants welcoming the Russian passengers with flowers at Pyongyang's international airport.
A North Korean official was seen checking the temperatures of the disembarking Russians with an electronic thermometer.
Russia's Minister of Natural Resources Alexander Kozlov was among those on the inaugural flight, RIA Novosti said on Telegram.
Nordwind Airlines — which used to carry Russians to holiday destinations in Europe before the EU imposed a ban on Russian flights — had tickets priced at 45,000 rubles (€480) for the route.
Russia has said the Moscow-Pyongyang route will be serviced once per month.
Advertisement
The plane landed back in the Moscow at 0750 GMT today, completing its first round trip on the route, according to the website of Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport.
The 440-seater plane was 'completely full', with most of the passengers being North Korean, Russia's state RIA news agency reported.
Russian diplomat Matvei Krivosheyev, who was also on board, was quoted as saying it was the first such flight in almost three decades.
'We are confident that this flight will be in demand both by Russian tourists and by Korean comrades,' he told the RIA news agency.
The only other airports that offer regular commercial flights to North Korea are in Beijing and Shenyang in China and in Vladivostok, a city in the far east of Russia.
Russia and North Korea, two heavily sanctioned nations, signed a military deal last year, including a mutual defence clause, during a rare visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Pyongyang.
South Korean and Western intelligence agencies have said Pyongyang sent more than 10,000 soldiers to Russia's Kursk region last year, along with artillery shells, missiles and long-range rocket systems.
Around 600 North Korean soldiers have been killed and thousands more wounded fighting for Russia, according to South Korea.
© AFP 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
‘We rely on trust' – how Ukraine weapons plants remain hidden from Moscow
It appeared the US president had finally run out of patience with the Russian leader, declaring he was 'no longer interested in talks' and cutting a previous deadline of 50 days short. But regardless of how encouraging this apparent renewed sense of urgency might be to Ukraine, Mr Trump's views on the war and support for Kyiv are anything but consistent. Kyiv has been wise to look elsewhere for reliable supplies – preferably Ukraine's own burgeoning weapons industry. Ukraine has made no secret that a key priority is to build its own missiles that match the destructive power and long reach of the Shahed killer drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles that Moscow has been launching in recent weeks. Russia has launched huge mass aerial attacks against the capital and cities across Ukraine including Kharkiv, Dnipro, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Ivano-Frankivsk and Pavlohrad. Pavlohrad, in Ukraine's south-eastern region of Dnipropetrovsk, recently suffered its biggest aerial attack since the start of the full-scale invasion. It is common knowledge that Pavlohrad has been home to missile production facilities since Soviet times, and Russia's defence ministry claimed, after the attack, it had struck facilities producing components for missiles and drones. With Russia ramping up attacks, Kyiv has been looking at new ways to hit back. Ukraine has shown its advanced drones can destroy targets deep inside Russian territory, more than 1,000km from the Ukrainian border. And it is already producing and using a family of missile systems named 'Neptune', 'Palyanytsia,' 'Peklo,' and 'Ruta'. According to Kyiv, production multiplied eight times between 2023 and 2024 with even more growth planned for this year. Mr Zelensky has said Ukraine intends to produce 3,000 cruise and drone missiles in 2025. The homegrown R-360 Neptune cruise missile, with a 150kg warhead has been modified, according to Mr Zelensky, to give it an improved range. However, Neptunes and Ukraine's other missiles have explosive payloads that are only a fraction – sometimes a tenth – of those carried by Russian rockets. Ukrainian engineers are focused on long-range missiles able to inflict on Russia the sort of pain it is daily inflicting on Ukrainians. One of those is called 'Bars' (Leopard). The scant information that has emerged about it suggests it is a hybrid between long-range drones and cruise missiles powered by a turbojet engine, giving it great speed and with a range of 700-800km with a warhead of 50-100kg of explosives. But it is not certain that Bars are the game-changing missiles on which Ukraine is pinning its hopes. A payload of only 100kg gives it a far weaker punch than that of Russian rockets, which often pack one-ton warheads. Mr Zelensky alluded last year to the successful test of an engine for a homemade ballistic missile. Military experts have speculated it is an offspring of the Sapsan Operational-Tactical Missile System – also known as Hrim and Hrim2 – that was conceived in the early 2000s but was dogged by funding problems and lack of political will. Everyone, even senior officials, are forbidden to talk about this subject It was revived after Russia's 2014 invasion of Ukraine's Crimea peninsula and eastern Donbas region. One person, who did not want to be named and works with his country's defence industry, said information about missile development is probably Ukraine's most closely guarded secret. He said: 'Everyone, even senior officials, are forbidden to talk about this subject. If you do, you'll probably be arrested. The only person allowed to reveal anything is president Zelensky.' Strategic industries minister Herman Smetanin, spearheads the efforts to grow the country's weapons production capacity. Adviser to the ministry, Yuri Sak, said that Ukraine heard the warning bells after the US first cut off support for Ukraine over the autumn and winter of 2023 to 2024. 'We realised that we had to start moving towards becoming self-sufficient. We began to make contingency plans, which we have in place now. Despite the war, despite the missile attacks, we were able to increase our defence industry output by 35 times during the last three years', Mr Sak said. The conflict in Ukraine has changed the nature of warfare and seen a profound shift toward drones, with Ukraine planning to produce five million this year. But the Russians know Ukraine is ploughing huge resources into producing its own missiles and other weapons and are trying to destroy any locations they identify where those are being developed or manufactured. Mr Sak said: 'We try to be as quiet as possible about the locations of our defence industry. Where possible, we have relaunched existing facilities that have been idle for the last 20-plus years and, in other cases, we are building new facilities.' Much of Ukraine's defence production has been split up, so that three or four smaller, concealed sites replicate the same weapons system and, if one is hit, overall production continues. The Independent visited one such facility in western Ukraine on condition no details were published that would allow its location to be identified. Concealed within a sprawling, somewhat dilapidated, Soviet-era industrial zone, the facility produces BTR-4E 'Bucephalus' armoured personnel carriers. The eight-wheeled Ukrainian design went into production in 2012. Until 2022, it was produced at a large plant in the east Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, targeted by Russia early in the full-scale war. The engines are brought in from Germany and the weapons are fitted elsewhere The owner of the plant, calling himself Andriy, is a former soldier who has himself seen action against the invading Russian forces. His factory previously produced heavy precision machinery and engine parts and converted to weapons manufacture in early 2024 to become one of three concealed facilities scattered across Ukraine producing Bucephalus APCs. Andriy said: 'We cast and produce almost everything for the construction of the APC, hull, turret, wheels, axles. The engines are brought in from Germany and the weapons are fitted elsewhere. We produce four per month and plan to increase that number.' The concealed sites are protected by air defences to counter Russian missiles and drones. Such secret weapons production sites are keenly sought out by Russian spies and informers on the ground and by satellite surveillance, and Andriy has security guards and equipment watching the perimeter of the plant. 'But mostly we rely on trust,' he explained. 'That people who live in the same community and know each other will not betray each other or their country.'
RTÉ News
3 hours ago
- RTÉ News
US Special Envoy to visit Russia 'next week', Trump says
US President Donald Trump has confirmed his special envoy Steve Witkoff will visit Russia next week, ahead of a looming US sanctions deadline and escalating tensions with Moscow. Speaking to reporters, Mr Trump also said that two nuclear submarines he deployed following an online row with former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev were now "in the region". Mr Trump has not said whether he meant nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed submarines. He also did not elaborate on the exact deployment locations, which are kept secret by the US military. The nuclear sabre-rattling came against the backdrop of a deadline set by Mr Trump at the end of next week for Russia to take steps to ending the Ukraine war or face unspecified new sanctions. The Republican leader said Mr Witkoff would visit "I think next week, Wednesday or Thursday." Russian President Vladimir Putin has already met Mr Witkoff multiple times in Moscow, before Mr Trump's efforts to mend ties with the Kremlin came to a grinding halt. When reporters asked what Mr Witkoff's message would be to Moscow, and if there was anything Russia could do to avoid the sanctions, Mr Trump replied: "Yeah, get a deal where people stop getting killed". Mr Trump has previously threatened that new measures could mean "secondary tariffs" targeting Russia's remaining trade partners, such as China and India. This would further stifle Russia, but would risk significant international disruption. Mr Putin, who has consistently rejected calls for a ceasefire, said Friday that he wants peace but that his demands for ending his nearly three-and-a-half year invasion were "unchanged". Those demands include that Ukraine abandon territory and end ambitions to join NATO. The US president began his second term with his own rosy predictions that the war in Ukraine --raging since Russia invaded its neighbor in February 2022 - would soon end. In recent weeks, Mr Trump has increasingly voiced frustration with Putin over Moscow's unrelenting offensive. Despite the pressure from Washington, Russia's onslaught against its pro-Western neighbour continues to unfold. A Russian attack killed three people in southeastern Zaporizhzhia region yesterday, the regional governor said, as Moscow's forces press on with their slow advance westward along the 1,000km front line with Ukraine. Governor Ivan Fedorov, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said the three people were killed in the daytime strike on the town of Stepnohirsk. Private homes were destroyed. Reuters could not independently confirm the report. In Kamianske, a town a few kilometers south of Stepnohirsk on the Dnipro River in Zaporizhzhia region, a military spokesman said on Saturday that Ukrainian troops were holding on to their positions despite Russian attempts to take control. Mr Fedorov's account came amid reports in recent days of new Russian military action in Ukraine's east and southeast. Ukraine's top commander said Moscow's forces were changing their tactics, using smaller sabotage units in a bid to pushforward with their drive through eastern Donetsk region. Russian forces have focused their drive on parts of Donetsk region, particularly the logistics centre of Pokrovsk, under Russian attack for months. Russia's Defence Ministry said on Thursday its forces had scored a major gain by capturing the town of Chasiv Yar, to the northeast, after months of fighting, though Ukraine has not acknowledged this. Russia's Defence Ministry on Saturday said it had taken control of another village closer to Pokrovsk. Denis Pushilin, the Russia-installed head of parts of Donetsk region under Moscow's control, said in a video posted online yesterday that the capture of Chasiv Yar, located on high ground, would enable them to make further gains. Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine's top commander, writing on Facebook on Saturday, said his forces faced the fiercest fighting around Pokrovsk and in two other sectors. "At the same time, the Russians are resorting to the tactic of 'total infiltration' with the increase of sabotage actions in our rear," he wrote. "It is in this way that they are trying to enter Pokrovsk".
Sunday World
10 hours ago
- Sunday World
Irish influencer Nasti_2k ‘unaware of probe' into promotion of unregulated trading platform
In recent months, Dubliner Jonathan Finlay has been encouraging his social media followers to sign up to the Seychelles-registered service Irish influencer Jonathan Finlay has said he is 'not aware of any ongoing investigation by the Central Bank into his affairs' or his promotion of an unregulated trading platform. Mr Finlay (25), who goes by Nasti_2k online, has amassed 856,000 followers on his TikTok and Instagram accounts from posting food content. The Dubliner has repeatedly claimed he makes 'no money whatsoever' from social media and his main source of income is from trading. 'In Ireland, they [Instagram and TikTok] don't pay; you don't get paid for your likes, views or followers,' he said in a video posted on instant messaging app Telegram. Mr Finlay said he has been able to afford to fly first-class on '11 or 12 holidays' this year, 'all because of trading'. In recent months, the influencer has been encouraging his followers to sign up to T4Trade, an offshore platform registered in the Seychelles. He has a 'VIP group' on Telegram, where he charges a €1,000 'entry fee' to join so users can copy the trades he uses to make money. The TikToker had been making the group free to join to 'celebrate' his own successful investments, with subscribers told they need minimum starting funds of €300. I'm taking on these people free of charge once you follow these steps 'This is your funds that you will trade with, NOT a fee or anything! I'm taking on these people free of charge once you follow these steps,' he says. 'By joining the VIP you'll get access to: my daily trades, 24/7 support to help you get up and running and help with any issues; and educational material. 'Send a screenshot of your dashboard to me when you complete the sign up and deposit. I'll get you added into the trading channel and get you started ASAP.' In another video, he referenced how his VIP group has more than 2,000 members who are making 'hundreds week-on-week' from trading. 'Are you happy with how much money you're making? Ninety per cent plus people said they're not and I think back to that time when I was working like a slave, 7pm to 7am, five or six days a week, and I just wish someone gave me an opportunity to make a side income that could potentially turn into your main income, and I wanna do that for you guys,' he said T4Trade states its website is not directed at EU residents and 'falls outside the European regulatory framework'. The site includes a risk warning that says its products 'carry a high level of risk and it is possible to lose all your capital'. Several regulators have issued warnings against the company. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK said: 'This firm may be providing financial services or products without our authorisation. You should avoid dealing with this firm.' Last year, the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority (DFSA) claimed Danish influencers were 'soliciting their followers to invest with T4Trade's investment platform' and warned that people would not get their money back 'if things go wrong' because the company is not authorised to offer financial services in Denmark. The Central Bank of Ireland in Dublin. Photo: Jason Alden/Bloomberg When asked if it was investigating any complaints against T4Trade, the Central Bank of Ireland said it is 'bound by strict statutory obligations of confidentiality and is precluded from commenting on the specific investigations it undertakes'. While it had been reported that the Central Bank was 'looking into the matter', Mr Finlay said he had not been made aware of any investigation. In response to queries from the Irish Independent, Lavelle Solicitors, instructed by Mr Finlay, said: 'Our client is not aware of any ongoing investigation by the Central Bank into his affairs, nor has he received any contact from the Central Bank in relation to any ongoing investigation into T4Trade.' Mr Finlay, who has a master's degree in digital marketing from UCD, said he has not been giving any financial advice. We have instructions to take all necessary steps to protect our client's reputation 'In so far as your queries relate to T4Trade or contain allegations against T4Trade, we suggest that you direct your queries to that entity,' Lavelle Solicitors said. The statement went on to claim that 'factually inaccurate' information had been previously published about Mr Finlay's relationship with T4Trade. 'In the event that any defamatory content is published about our client, we have instructions to take all necessary steps to protect our client's reputation'. The Irish Independent contacted T4Trade for comment. If consumers deal with a financial firm that is not authorised, there is no recourse to statutory compensation schemes or the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman. 'Whether a particular entity or individual requires to be registered or authorised by the Central Bank depends on the exact nature of the services provided by the entity or individual,' the Central Bank said. T4Trade advises people about different trading methods, including Forex trading, which involves buying one currency while selling another. Traders try to speculate on how these will change in value. Jonathan Finlay, aka Nasti_2k, has 856,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram from posting food content News in 90 Seconds - Sunday, August 3rd
