Vladimir Putin gifts purebred horses to Kim Jong-Un after arms support for Ukraine war

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly gifted 24 purebred Orlov Trotters to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in a display of the deepening alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang. The exchange, according to sources, is more than a simple gesture of goodwill; it signals a transactional relationship tied directly to Russia's ongoing military campaign in Ukraine.
The horses are not just a token of affection. According to reports from South Korean media, the 24 horses are part of a payment in exchange for artillery shells supplied by North Korea to aid Russia in the Ukraine war.
The Orlov Trotters, a breed known for their speed and endurance, are said to be a favorite of Kim Jong-un. This latest consignment, delivered across the narrow land border between Russia and North Korea on Sunday, was confirmed by veterinary authorities in Primorsky Krai, according to The Times.
The growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea has raised alarms globally. In June, Putin and Kim formalized this relationship with a military cooperation pact, solidifying their alliance. As part of this burgeoning partnership, Kim gifted Putin two Pungsan dogs, a breed native to North Korea, to which Putin reciprocated with a gift of 447 goats.
This latest exchange of horses for artillery shells marks a significant escalation in the Russia-North Korea relationship, one that is drawing close scrutiny from the United States and its Asian allies. The mutual defense pact signed between Putin and Kim earlier this year marks a dramatic shift in Russia's post-Soviet policy towards North Korea. Kim hailed the agreement as an "alliance," further intensifying the geopolitical stakes in Asia.
While North Korea has long maintained a defense treaty with China, its military collaboration with Russia over the past year represents a new and potentially destabilizing factor in regional security.
The exchange of luxurious gifts between Putin and Kim, including limousines and a tour of Russia's state-of-the-art space launch center, only heightens concerns about the extent of their cooperation.