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North Korea Sends 12,000 Workers to Russia to Build Shahed Drones
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North Korea has reportedly sent 12,000 workers to Russia to help manufacture Shahed-type attack drones at the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan, expanding Pyongyang’s involvement in Russia’s military production supporting its war against Ukraine.
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According to a joint report by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the George W. Bush Institute on October 14, North Korean workers receive approximately $2.50 per hour, while the North Korean government reportedly takes between 70% and 90% of their earnings.
The report identifies three main groups involved in drone manufacturing at Alabuga: Russian students and young workers, foreign recruits from other countries, and North Korean nationals. Researchers raised concerns about coercive labor practices affecting all three groups, particularly the systematic withholding of wages from North Korean workers.
Russian students are recruited through Alabuga’s educational programs, which combine technical training with industrial work. Some reportedly work shifts lasting up to 12 hours, with their pay tied to strict production targets.
Workers have also reportedly faced threats of financial penalties for disclosing details about the facility’s operations, including to family members.
The Alabuga industrial complex is a major Russian production site for Geran-2 drones, based on the Iranian-designed Shahed-136, which Russia regularly uses in attacks against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Satellite imagery published in September showed additional production buildings and warehouses under construction at the site, indicating continued expansion of its manufacturing infrastructure.
North Korea’s involvement in Russian drone production comes amid growing military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. Beyond providing personnel, North Korea has reportedly sought to incorporate lessons from Russia’s use of drones in Ukraine into its own military development programs.
Analysts have also indicated that Pyongyang is working to expand domestic production of Shahed-type drones and smaller unmanned aircraft, potentially benefiting from Russian technical expertise.
Earlier, Bloomberg reported on September 17 that approximately 25,000 North Korean nationals were working at Russian drone manufacturing facilities, including Alabuga. Many reportedly entered Russia on student visas to circumvent international sanctions, while North Korean authorities confiscated most of their earnings.
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