North Korean forced laborers deployed to Russian drone factories

North Korean forced laborers are being utilized in Russian factories to address labor shortages, including facilities involved in drone production. According to reports from the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team, these workers are being integrated into Russian production lines to support military efforts.

South Korean officials noted that North Korean citizens have been employed at factories belonging to the major Russian e-commerce company Wildberries. Some of these sites were targeted by Ukrainian drone strikes earlier this summer, resulting in at least nine deaths. Evidence suggests continued employment of North Koreans at these locations, supported by job postings for Korean language interpreters.

This labor deployment follows the provision of missiles, ammunition, and tens of thousands of soldiers by North Korea to support Russia's war efforts. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that North Korea has sent up to 50,000 soldiers to fight alongside Russian troops since the conflict began.