Chinese and Russian leaders sent messages of congratulations to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to mark the 78th anniversary of North Korea's founding. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin separately pledged to deepen their strategic partnerships with Pyongyang. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Xi Jinping expressed his willingness to "continue strengthening the strategic guidance" of China's relationship with North Korea and to collaborate with Kim to promote the development of both countries. He emphasized that strengthening bilateral ties remains a "consistent and unwavering policy" of his government. Xi Jinping also noted that his recent visit to Pyongyang in June marked a new phase in the relationship, which was his first trip to the country in seven years and his only foreign visit in 2026 so far. Putin stated that he would continue "closest joint work" with Kim to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and North Korea. He added that stronger ties between the two nations would contribute to regional security and a "more just, multipolar world order." The growing cooperation between Russia, China, and North Korea is forming a strategic alignment of three powers that increasingly share an interest in challenging US and Western influence, although they are not yet a formal military alliance. Russia is deepening its military partnership with North Korea, including using North Korean troops and weapons in its war in Ukraine, while China remains North Korea's most important economic partner and is restoring high-level strategic ties with Kim. In a coordinated display of friendship, Russia and North Korea opened their first dedicated road bridge across the Tumen River. Flag-adorned trucks crossed the 1km-long two-lane bridge as Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and North Korean Premier Pak Thae Song addressed the workers and government officials via video link. Meanwhile, construction on the long-delayed New Yalu River bridge with China was nearly complete, according to South Korean analytics firm SI Analytics. The firm noted that the bridge, which is 3km long, had been stalled for about a decade but was now nearing completion. Structural work on a customs and immigration facility on the North Korean side could be finished this month. The firm remarked that North Korea had executed the project in just four months, a feat it described as a "speed battle" tactical campaign. North Korea celebrated its founding anniversary as the United Nations' nuclear agency reported that Pyongyang had built a new uranium enrichment facility at the Yongbyon nuclear complex, capable of housing up to 28 centrifuge cascades. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) based its report on satellite imagery and open-source information, noting a steady expansion of nuclear infrastructure across the country. A new two-storey building at Yongbyon was identified as a uranium enrichment facility by comparing photographs from a June visit by Kim with satellite images taken during its construction. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi expressed serious concern about the ongoing operation of enrichment facilities at Kangson and Yongbyon and the reported expansion of North Korea’s production of weapons-grade nuclear material, stating this in a message to the IAEA board of governors.