Russia Employs 25,000 North Koreans in Drone Production for Use Against Ukraine

Up to 25,000 North Korean workers are reportedly involved in Russia’s drone industry, including facilities in Alabuga, Tatarstan, where unmanned aircraft are assembled for the war against Ukraine. The findings come from the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team, which says workers are disguised as students to evade sanctions. Their labor reportedly generated as much as $800 million for Pyongyang last year, helping fund nuclear and missile programs. The arrangement shows Russia-North Korea cooperation expanding beyond weapons and troops into industrial production.