Russia has sent 70 animals to a zoo in the North Korean capital Pyongyang from Moscow’s zoo, the Russian government shared on Wednesday.
The animals, which included an African lion and two brown bears, were “a gift from Vladimir Putin to the Korean people,” the government said.
Alexander Kozlov, Russia’s natural resource minister, was in charge of the animals’ transfer by plane to the Pyongyang Central Zoo. They were also accompanied by veterinarians from the Moscow Zoo.
Pictures and videos of the animal transfer were published by the Russian government, showing a white cockatoo traveling in a crate and officials giving Kozlov a tour of the Korean zoo.
In April, Russia donated eagles, cranes, parrots, and other birds to the Pyongyang Central Zoo.
The move also comes as Russia continues to grow closer to North Korea. Russian President Putin has built an alliance with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un throughout this year.
In its war against Ukraine, Russia has begun using North Korean troops, mainly in Russia, to stave off Ukrainian advances in the Kursk region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared the news last month, noting that the “increasing alliance” between Russia and North Korea had passed the exchange of arms and technology, as now troops were involved.
“This is no longer just about transferring weapons,” Zelensky said. “It is actually about transferring people from North Korea to the occupying military forces.”
Not only has Kim sent troops to Russia, but he also gifted Putin a pair of Pungsan dogs, a local breed, during his trip to North Korea in June.