The bevy of sanctions and penalties imposed on Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine threatens to cut off yet another route for future travel to North Korea, tourism industry insiders say, amid lingering pessimism about the relaxation of travel restrictions in China and the DPRK.

Besides creating severe economic pressure for Vladimir Putin’s government, many of these measures now make it difficult for a large part of the international community to travel to, through or even over Russia.

Western countries have recommended citizens leave Russia immediately, Moscow and international airlines have torn upairspace access agreements