# North Korean labor in Russian military production > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/north-korean-labor-in-russian-military-production > Updated: 2026-09-21T11:49:56.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 3. Reports from the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) indicate that North Korea is deploying large numbers of laborers to Russia to support military production, specifically targeting drone manufacturing. Estimates suggest between 12,000 and 30,000 North Korean workers are stationed in Russia, with a significant concentration at the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan. To circumvent international sanctions, Russia has reportedly utilized a student visa workaround. In 2025, Russia issued over 35,000 student visas to North Korean nationals, a sharp increase from previous years, despite the fact that no official work visas have been issued to North Koreans since 2020. Investigators suggest these visas mask professional industrial activity. The cooperation has evolved from the assembly of imported kits to the indigenous manufacturing of airframes, engines, and electronics for Geran-series attack drones. This industrial support represents an expansion of the alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang. Recent reports indicate that North Korean forced laborers are being integrated into Russian production lines to address labor shortages. South Korean officials have noted that North Korean citizens are also employed at factories belonging to the Russian e-commerce company Wildberries. Some of these sites were targeted by Ukrainian drone strikes earlier this summer, resulting in at least nine deaths. This labor deployment follows North Korea’s provision of missiles, ammunition, and tens of thousands of soldiers to support Russia. 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. Further developments indicate that Pyongyang has supplied over 15 million artillery shells and ballistic missiles to Moscow since mid-2023, generating an estimated 8.7 billion euros for North Korea by the end of 2025. South Korean intelligence reports that North Korea has deployed over 16,000 soldiers to Russia since October 2024. ## Claims - North Korea has delivered more than 15 million artillery shells and ballistic missiles to Russia since summer 2023. (corroborated by 3 sources) - North Korean weapon exports to Russia are estimated to have generated more than 8.7 billion euros by the end of 2025. (corroborated by 3 sources) - North Korea has sent more than 16,000 soldiers to Russia since October 2024. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Rosatom is expanding its Alabuga-Volokno carbon fiber factory in Tatarstan. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The new carbon fiber capacity could theoretically provide material for approximately 28,000 additional drone hulls per year. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Russian government approved the Alabuga-Volokno expansion project in May as a new production line for chemical fibers and yarns. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-21: North Korean forced laborers deployed to Russian drone factories North Korean forced laborers are reportedly working in Russian factories, including drone production lines and e-commerce facilities, to support Russia's war efforts and address labor shortages. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-korean-forced-laborers-deployed-to-russian-drone-factories ### 2026-09-21: Russia expands drone production and North Korean military cooperation Russia is scaling up drone production via new carbon fiber facilities and deepening military ties with North Korea, which has supplied millions of shells and thousands of troops. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ukraine-reports-destruction-of-75-artillery-systems-and-buk-m3-in-one-day ### 2026-09-16: North Korean workers deployed to Russian drone factories A report by the MSMT reveals North Korea is deploying up to 101,000 workers globally, including 30,000 in Russia, to produce military drones and generate revenue for its weapons programs via sanctions evasion. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-korean-overseas-workers-deployed-to-russian-drone-factories --- Cite as: North Korean labor in Russian military production. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/north-korean-labor-in-russian-military-production