Video of Putin and Kim Jong Un driving a Russian-built Aurus Limousine goes viral, showcasing their friendly connection. Recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un were seen driving each other in a Russian-made Aurus Senat limousine, highlighting their growing diplomatic ties. This event was part of a broader exchange where Putin gifted Kim the luxury vehicle, and in return, received a pair of North Korean hunting dogs. 

Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un drive the Russian presidential vehicle

The Aurus Senat is Russia's answer to high-end luxury cars like the Rolls-Royce, featuring a 4.4-litre twin-turbo hybrid V8 engine, and is fully armored. This vehicle, which Putin has used since 2018, represents Russia's industrial and technological advancements​.

These exchanges come amidst broader geopolitical movements, with Russia seeking alliances due to its isolation over the Ukraine conflict, and North Korea looking for advanced technology to bolster its own capabilities​.

Putin recently visited North Korea for the first time since 2000 to sign a treaty, that is crucial to both nations. The pact promises that both nations will provide immediate military support if either of them is attacked.

🇷🇺 🇰🇵 President Vladimir Putin driving North Korea's Kim Jong Un in a brand new Aurus Russian luxury car. pic.twitter.com/N4ceb2ZWvV

— BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) June 20, 2024

The video shows Putin driving Kim Jong Un through a park in the Russian presidential vehicle, an armoured limousine, while both leaders have a seemingly pleasant conversation and are seen laughing.

After exiting the car, they continued walking shoulder-to-shoulder on a footpath surrounded by greenery.

Putin allegedly gifted Kim Jong Un the vehicle they can be seen driving. It has been reported that Putin had gifted Kim the same vehicle in February, meaning Kim now has two vehicles of the same kind. The car is the Aurus Senat with a retro style based on the ZIL Limousine of the Soviet era. Putin also showed Kim the vehicle when he visited Russia last September.

Kim Jong Un is known to be an automobile enthusiast and has been seen in many luxury cars, even though the UN Security Council has banned the export of luxury goods to North Korea. His collection includes a Maybach Limousine, a Lexus sports car, a Rolls Royce Phantom, various Mercedes, and more.

Kim did not allow Putin to go home empty-handed, either. He gifted Putin two Pungsan dogs, a hunting breed native to North Korea. A government broadcast on Thursday on Korean Central Television showed the two leaders having a chat with the pair of dogs tied in front of them. They also tended to and fed a horse, bonding over a shared passion for animals.