North Korean workers support Russian drone production and military efforts

A United Nations report indicates that between 15,000 and 30,000 North Korean workers were present in Russia by the end of 2025. Up to 25,000 of these citizens are reportedly involved in drone production within the Alabuga special economic zone in Tatarstan, where Russian versions of Iranian Shahed drones are assembled.

To circumvent UN sanctions that prohibit the use of North Korean labor, Moscow and Pyongyang have reportedly utilized a scheme where workers are registered as students or tourists. In 2025, Russia issued over 36,400 visas to North Koreans, with 35,800 categorized as student visas to provide legal cover for their employment.

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the UN General Assembly regarding the extreme indoctrination of North Korean soldiers supporting Russia. He reported that North Korean personnel are trained to avoid capture at all costs, citing an instance where a soldier attempted suicide to avoid being taken prisoner. Zelenskyy noted that such behavior is reinforced by the North Korean leadership, which has historically celebrated soldiers who die in service.