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North Korean workers produce military drones in Russia
A report from the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) reveals that North Korean workers are being utilized in Russia to support military production, specifically in the manufacturing of drones. An estimated 15,000 to 30,000 North Koreans were working in Russia by the end of 2025.
To circumvent international sanctions, many of these workers are entering the country under the guise of students. In 2025, Russia issued 35,839 student visas to North Korean nationals, a significant increase from previous years. This administrative coverage allows workers to engage in industrial activities, including drone assembly at the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan, without official work permits.
The cooperation provides significant revenue for the North Korean regime. Workers earn an average of 7,500 dollars annually, which is approximately five times higher than what they could earn in China. The MSMT estimates that the North Korean government collected up to 800 million dollars from overseas workers last year, funds which are believed to support the country’s nuclear and missile programs.
Entities
Alabuga Special Economic Zone · Kim Jong Un · Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team · North Korea · Russia · Wildberries
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The North Korean regime earned up to 800 million dollars from overseas workers last year. fakti.bg
- [● 3 SOURCES] North Korean workers use student visas to bypass international sanctions and work in Russia. armees.com · fakti.bg · asiatimes.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] North Korean workers in Russia earn an average annual income of 7,500 dollars. fakti.bg · www.novinky.cz
- [● 3 SOURCES] Between 15,000 and 30,000 North Koreans were working in Russia by the end of 2025. armees.com · fakti.bg · www.novinky.cz
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Russia issued 35,839 student visas to North Korean nationals in 2025. armees.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] North Korean workers are involved in military drone production at the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan. armees.com · fakti.bg · asiatimes.com