Russia on Sunday opened a regular air link between Moscow and Pyogyang, a move reflecting increasingly close ties between the two countries. The first flight operated by Russian carrier Nordwind took off from Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport carrying over 400 passengers.

Russia was set to start operating direct passenger flights between Moscow and North Korea's Pyongyang for the first time in about three decades, Reuters reported Sunday. The inaugural flight is scheduled to depart from Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow.

The start of regular flights follows the resumption of Moscow-Pyongyang passenger rail service, a 10-day journey, in June.