Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly sent 24 Orlov Trotter horses to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as partial payment for artillery shells intended for use in Russia’s ongoing conflict against Ukraine, according to a report by The Times.
The delivery of these horses marks a significant indication of the deepening relationship between Russia and North Korea, which has become increasingly evident in recent months. The Orlov Trotter, a breed of horse favoured by Kim Jong-un, is prominently featured in North Korean state propaganda images, often depicted with the leader himself. This recent shipment follows a similar consignment in 2022 when 30 Orlov Trotters were sent to Pyongyang.
According to the Veterinary Service of Primorsky Krai, a region in Russia that shares a narrow land border with North Korea, the 24 horses—comprising 19 stallions and five mares—were transported last Sunday across this border.
Although North Korea has invested heavily in modern military technologies, including nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, horses retain a symbolic and somewhat practical role within the regime. Horses like the Orlov Trotters are not only a personal favourite of Kim but also serve as a tool in his propaganda efforts, reinforcing his personal and family cult.
Despite the symbolic value, North Korea has also maintained an investment in one of the oldest military technologies: cavalry units. Official trade records reveal that between 2020 and 2023, North Korea spent at least $600,000 on the importation of purebred horses from Russia.
The Exchange of Gifts and Military Supplies
The reported exchange of horses for military supplies is part of a broader pattern of mutual gift-giving between Putin and Kim, highlighting their increasingly collaborative relationship. In June, after signing a “comprehensive partnership agreement,” Kim Jong-un gifted Putin a pair of Phungsan dogs, a breed native to North Korea, as reported by the North Korean state news agency KCNA. Putin reciprocated in August by sending 447 goats to North Korea.
The shipment of these horses, believed to be part of a barter arrangement for North Korean artillery shells, aligns with reports from South Korean media. These sources suggest that the horses are part of the payment for shells already dispatched to Russian forces, who are engaged in ongoing hostilities in Ukraine.
The exchange of goods between Russia and North Korea—whether horses, dogs, or artillery shells—points to a growing interdependence between the two states, each seeking to benefit from the other’s resources. For Russia, facing international sanctions and shortages of military supplies, North Korean artillery shells offer a means to continue its military operations in Ukraine. For North Korea, the symbolic value of the Orlov Trotters reinforces the regime’s internal narrative, bolstering Kim Jong-un’s image domestically.
Read also:
Goats for Guns: Russia Sends Hundreds of Goats to North Korea Amid Strengthening Bilateral Relations
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