Business associations for North Korea’s capital city and the Russian region of Kursk have sealed a deal on expanding economic cooperation, as DPRK soldiers fight alongside Russia forces to repel Ukraine’s incursion into the territory.

The Pyongyang and Kursk chambers of commerce (COC) reached the agreement to boost “bilateral economic ties and expand opportunities for businesses” on Thursday, the Kursk-based organization said in a statement.

Alexey Belodurov and Chong Un Hye, the heads of the respective chambers, signed the deal during an online meeting that included representatives of companies in Kursk and Pyongyang.