North Korean leader Kim Jong Un left Russia today on his armoured train, Russian news agencies reported, wrapping up a six-day trip which has focused largely on military matters.
Mr Kim's first official visit abroad since the coronavirus pandemic has fanned Western fears that Moscow and Pyongyang will defy sanctions and strike an arms deal.
The Ria Novosti agency published a video of Mr Kim's departure, and said a "departure ceremony" was held at the Artyom-Primorsky-1 station, while TASS news agency said that Mr Kim's train was headed around 250km towards the border.
The footage shows Mr Kim waving goodbye from his train to a Russian delegation led by Natural Resources Minister Alexander Kozlov, before the Russian march "Farewell of Slavianka" is played as the train departs.
Earlier today, TASS said Mr Kim had been given five explosive drones, a reconnaissance drone and a bulletproof vest as gifts from a regional governor.
TASS said the "leader of the DPRK received five kamikaze drones and a 'Geran-25' reconnaissance drone with vertical takeoff", using the official name of North Korea.
TASS said the governor of the Primorye region, which borders China and North Korea, also "offered Kim Jong Un a set of bulletproof protection" and "special clothing not detectable by thermal cameras".
Yesterday he met Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu in Vladivostok, where he inspected state-of-the-art weapons including a hypersonic missile system.
Mr Kim's extended tour of Russia's far eastern region, which began on Tuesday, has focused extensively on military matters, as evidenced by his own officer-dominated entourage, a symbolic exchange of rifles with President Vladimir Putin and a tour of a fighter jet factory in Komsomolsk-on-Amur.
Moscow is believed to be interested in buying North Korean ammunition to continue fighting in Ukraine, while Pyongyang wants Russia's help to develop its internationally condemned missile programme.
The Kremlin has said no agreement has or will be signed.
Mr Kim also met with North Korean students studying in Vladivostok today.
North Korean news agency KCNA has described the atmosphere during Mr Kim's visit as "fervent and warm" and said a "new era of friendship, solidarity and cooperation" was opening between North Korea and Russia.
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The United States and its allies worry about warming military ties between the two neighbours as Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine and North Korea proceeds with missile and nuclear development.
South Korea and the US have said that military co-operation between North Korea and Russia would violate UN sanctions against Pyongyang and that the allies would ensure there was a price to pay.
Russia has gone out of its way to publicise Mr Kim's visit, dropping repeated hints about the prospect of military co-operation with North Korea, a country formed in 1948 with the backing of the Soviet Union.
Mr Kim and Mr Shoigu "exchanged their constructive opinions on the practical issues arising in further strengthening the strategica nd tactical coordination, cooperation and mutual exchange between the armed forces of the two countries and in the fields of their national defence and security," KCNA reported.
Moscow is discussing joint military exercises with North Korea, Mr Shoigu told Russian media.
He visited Pyongyang in July and toured a weapons exhibit with Mr Kim, one of the most striking signs of deepening ties up to that point.
Mr Kim also toured Russia's Pacific Sea Fleet, equipped with strategic nuclear submarines among other military vessels, KCNA said, quoting him as praising the fleet for its contribution to peace in the region.
He was photographed going round a control room and inspecting a warship.
Earlier this month, North Korea launched its first operational "tactical nuclear attack submarine".
