Russian president Vladimir Putin has gifted North Korea more than 70 animals for the Pyongyang Zoo, including bears, yaks, ducks and cockatoos as a thank you to Kim Jong Un for sending 12,000 soldiers to fight in Ukraine.
In another sign of the growing relationship between the countries, the animals were flown to Pyongyang aboard a government plane, escorted by officials and experts from the Moscow Zoo, the Russian government said on Wednesday – noting that the animals were ‘a gift from Vladimir Putin to the Korean people’.
‘Historically, animals always have played a special role in relations between states. They have been given as a sign of support, kindness and care,’ Russia’s Natural Resources Minister Alexander Kozlov, who traveled with the animals, said.
The delivery included an African lion, two bears, two domestic yaks, 25 pheasants, 40 mandarin ducks and five white cockatoos, the statement said.
Images shared by the Russian government revealed a white cockatoo travelling in a crate and Kozlov receiving a tour of the Korean zoo from local officials.
This is not the first time Putin has gifted his ally Kim Jong Un animals, however.
Back in April, Russia donated birds, including eagles, cranes and parrots to the Pyongyang Central Zoo.
In return, Kim Jong Un gifted Putin a pair of Pungsan dogs, a local breed.
The two also took turns driving around in a Russian-built Aurus limousine.
In June, Putin traveled to North Korea, where he met with its leader, Kim Jong Un.
The two leaders signed a ‘comprehensive strategic partnership treaty’ that was the strongest link between Moscow and Pyongyang since the end of the Cold War.
It obligates both states to provide military assistance ‘without delay’ in the case of an attack on the other and to cooperate internationally to oppose Western sanctions.
Putin’s generous gift-giving comes after the US and South Korea earlier this month accused nuclear-armed North Korea of sending 12,000 troops to support Russia’s devastating invasion of Ukraine.
Experts have warned that Kim Jong Un is eager to gain advanced technology, and battle experience for his troops in return.
Meanwhile yesterday a top North Korean general was wounded in a Ukrainian strike in Russia’s Kursk region.
Western officials confirmed that the high-ranking military officer had become a casualty of the war in Ukraine.
Officials did not name the officer or say how he was wounded.