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North Korea to Send 25,000 Workers to Russia to Boost Shahed Drone Production
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
North Korea is considering dispatching up to 25,000 workers to Russia to learn drone production and operational skills, according to a report by Japan’s NHK, citing diplomatic sources in both Russia and the West on June 19.
The North Korean personnel are expected to train at the Geran drone manufacturing facility located in Yelabuga, a special economic zone in Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan.
NHK sources suggest the move is part of a broader effort by Pyongyang to support Moscow’s expanding drone industry, which has become a key component of Russia’s war effort in Ukraine.
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The North Koreans would reportedly assist in ramping up production while acquiring expertise in building and managing drone operations.
Last week, Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate, stated that Russia had begun helping North Korea establish its production of long-range attack drones.
According to Budanov, agreements have been reached for North Korean facilities to manufacture drones modeled after the Iranian-origin “Geran” and “Harpy” platforms. He warned that some of the drones produced in North Korea may be shipped back to Russia for use against Ukraine.
“Russia currently manufactures around 2,000 drones per month and plans to scale that number up to 5,000,” Budanov said.
In a related development, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu visited North Korea, his second trip to the country in the past month. During his visit, Pyongyang reportedly committed to sending 1,000 military sappers and 5,000 construction troops to Russia’s Kursk region to assist with post-conflict reconstruction.
Earlier, reports emerged that North Korea was preparing to build one of the country’s largest-ever military manufacturing complexes as it ramps up weapons deliveries to Russia.
