Luxury Goods for the Kim Regime: Russia Supplies Horses to North Korea

The Republic of Tatarstan, part of Russia, has become a key supplier of elite horses for North Korea’s ceremonial cavalry regiment, the animals of which are used in particular by the country’s leader Kim Jong Un.

This was reported by NK News, citing analysis of open sources, logistics data, and public reports.

According to the publication, the deliveries took place in 2024–2025 and were intended for the DPRK’s highest military and political elite.

The horses are used during public events, military parades, and symbolic trips by the country’s leader.

It should be noted that in North Korea, horses are an element of the cult of power and an attribute of the status of the high command of the Korean People’s Army.

Analysts note that elite breeding and parade horses fall under the category of luxury goods, the export of which to North Korea is prohibited by UN Security Council sanctions.

According to the logic of sanctions, such goods have no civilian or humanitarian purpose and are used exclusively by the regime’s political and military elite.

Thus, the supply of horses from Russia can be considered a violation of the international sanctions regime.

The use of a separate region of Russia as a supply center makes it difficult to track the routes and origin of such cargoes.

The material points to Russia’s systematic disregard for the restrictions imposed on North Korea.

According to analysts, the supply of horses is seen as part of a broader political and symbolic rapprochement between Moscow and Pyongyang.

Earlier it was reported that the Russian army, in turn, decided to fight on horseback.

In addition, arms deliveries from North Korea to Russia have recently decreased due to cold weather.