Russian President Vladimir Putin has gifted North Korean leader Kim Jong-un 24 purebred horses in exchange for artillery shells used in the Ukraine conflict, according to reports on Sunday.
The gift, which includes 19 stallions and five mares of the Orlov Trotter breed—Kim’s favorite—arrived in Russia as partial compensation for the North Korean artillery shells sent to Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine war, The Times reported.
Two years prior, Pyongyang received 30 Orlov Trotters, and Kim was seen riding a white horse in a propaganda video. A 2019 state media release featured Kim riding a white stallion on Mount Paektu during snowfall, which gained considerable online attention.
The horses also carry symbolic value for North Korea, which named its post-Korean War economic recovery effort after the mythical winged horse, Chollima. Additionally, one of North Korea’s rocket boosters is named Chollima-1.
Analysts told Reuters that the imagery of Kim on a white stallion was meant to project strength and destiny, reinforcing confidence among North Koreans.
Putin has also been notably photographed riding a brown horse, accessorized with wrap-around sunglasses, a gold chain, and army trousers.
In June, Kim presented Putin with a pair of Pungsan dogs, a local hunting breed, reflecting the strengthening ties between the two leaders. Putin also gifted Kim 447 goats in August.
