Russia starts direct flights to North Korea

Russia on Sunday began direct commercial flights to North Korea, in a further sign of closer ties with its Asian ally helping its offensive in Ukraine.

The first Moscow-Pyongyang flight, operated by Russia's Nordwind Airlines, took off at 1625 GMT, according to the Sheremetyevo airport's website.

It is scheduled to land in the North Korean capital some eight hours later.

But initially, the route will only be serviced once a month, Russia's transport ministry said.

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 ($570).

"This is a historical event, strengthening the ties between our nations," Oleg, a Nordwind employee managing the flight who did not want to give his full name, told AFP at the airport.

He also declined to say how many passengers were on board.