North Korea has completely cleared planes from the tarmac in front of Pyongyang International Airport in recent days, a rare activity associated with foreign leader visits that likely signals preparations to host Russian leader Vladimir Putin as early as this week.

NK Pro analysis of Planet Labs imagery shows Air Koryo planes were removed from a parking apron near the airport’s terminal building between June 6 and 10. They remained parked in other parts of the airport on June 11. 

The same action was taken just prior to other world leaders arriving for meetings with DPRK leader Kim Jong Un in 2018 and 2019, apparently to make room for the large fleets of visiting delegations.

It appeared to occur at least one day before high-ranking Russian and Chinese guests arrived in early Sept. 2018 and again later that month before South Korean President Moon Jae-in visited.

Imagery shows North Korean planes were also moved away from the terminal during Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s visit in June 2019. 

There is not enough historical satellite imagery available to determine precisely how far in advance the actions took place in these cases, but they did not appear to occur more than three days prior to guest arrivals.

Such clearing of parking aprons has only otherwise appeared ahead of tarmac resurfacing, like in late 2023 and during major renovations in 2014, leaving open this alternative explanation as well.

Putin’s office has confirmed he is preparing to visit Pyongyang, as he promised when he last met Kim in the Russian Far East last September, but neither side has revealed the planned dates.

Reuters reported on Monday that Putin is expected to visit Vietnam from June 19 to 20, meaning he could visit North Korea before that, but these dates have also yet to be officially confirmed.

The clearing of planes at Pyongyang airport could signal a sooner date, as early as this week, or it could be intended to make room for Putin’s advance team.

The Russian leader is expected to stay in Moscow at least through Wednesday, the Russia Day national holiday, to participate in an awards ceremony.

Besides the efforts at the airport, Planet Labs imagery also shows other activity across Pyongyang possibly related to preparations for Putin’s visit.

Between June 5 and 11, repaving and renovation work appeared at a Russian war monument called Liberation Tower as well as at the DPRK defense ministry campus, suggesting the two may meet there amid strengthening military ties and weapons trade.

Clusters of trees were also cut down at the same time around multiple buildings at the Kumsusan Guesthouse, a large and luxurious mansion and garden complex newly built ahead of Xi’s 2019 visit, suggesting Putin may stay there and that the work could be part of security or logistical planning.

A number of large objects appeared at Kim Il Sung Square on June 10 and 11 as well, possibly in preparation for an event the two leaders will attend.

A Russian government plane also landed in Pyongyang last week for a two-day stay, possibly related to planning for Putin’s visit, but neither side revealed who visited or the purpose of the trip.

 Edited by Bryan Betts