A new batch of Russian diplomats arrived in Pyongyang for the first time in nearly four years, Moscow’s embassy in North Korea announced late Thursday via its Facebook page.

“We welcomed our new colleagues: 20 diplomats and technical staff who arrived at the Embassy as part of a staff rotation on Sept. 7,” the post said.

Only 18 staff had been working at the embassy as Russia was unable to rotate personnel because of North Korea’s COVID-19 border restrictions, according to the post.