North Korean workers face exploitation in Russian drone factory

A report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the George W. Bush Institute reveals that up to 12,000 North Korean workers are victims of human rights violations and human trafficking at a drone manufacturing plant in Yelabuga, Tatarstan.

The facility produces over 5,500 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) per month for Russia's war in Ukraine. The report details a collaborative network involving Russia, North Korea, China, and Iran to expand UAV production. China serves as a primary supplier of dual-use components, such as batteries and navigation systems, while Iran has supplied Shahed drones that assist Russia in developing domestic variants.

Economically, North Korea reportedly retains up to 90 percent of the workers' wages. The report further notes that Russia and North Korea are in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2397, which requires North Korean laborers to be repatriated within two years. Experts suggest the geographic positioning of these nations makes international intervention extremely difficult.