Russian airline Nordwind will begin direct service between Moscow and North Korean capital Pyongyang later this month, Russia's Transport Ministry announced. Ties between the two countries have grown closer since a summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin last year.

Nordwind Airlines, a Russian budget carrier, will begin direct flights between the two cities on July 27, the ministry said Monday night on its Telegram channel. Travel time will be about eight hours.

"For the first time, the capitals of Russia and the DPRK will be connected by direct flights," the ministry said, using the official acronym for North Korea.

"Further flights will be operated once a month -- to create sustainable demand and load flights," the ministry added.

@yahoo.com