Russia has opened a direct air route between Moscow and Pyogyang in a move reflecting closer ties between the two countries.

Russia will launch direct passenger flights from Moscow to North Korea 's capital Pyongyang on Sunday, Russian authorities said, as the two former communist bloc allies move to improve ties following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Russia's natural resources minister has visited North Korea for a meeting on trade and technology cooperation, traveling aboard the first flight of the resumed direct air route between Moscow and Pyongyang,