North Korean Workers Disguised as Students Are Building Military Drones in Russia

According to a report prepared by the US and its allies, despite international sanctions, thousands of North Korean workers disguised with student visas in Russia are employed in the production of military unmanned aerial vehicles.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Production in Russia

The report published by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team stated that up to 25,000 North Korean workers are employed in the drone industry, including at the Alabuga facilities in Tatarstan, Russia. These developments indicate a deepening military and industrial cooperation between the two countries.

Circumvention of Sanctions and Student Visas

The report noted that North Korean workers were disguised as students through a special visa program in order to evade sanctions. The monthly earnings of workers in Russia can be up to five times higher than those in China.

Pyongyang Regime's Earnings

It is estimated that North Korean workers abroad generated up to $800 million for the Kim Jong Un regime last year. These revenues are used to finance the country's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Working Conditions and Control of Workers

A large portion of the earnings of North Korean workers, who earn an average of $7,500 in Russia, is confiscated by the Pyongyang administration. Officials strictly monitor the movements of the workers to prevent potential desertions.

Activities of the International Monitoring Group

The monitoring team, consisting of 11 countries including the US, South Korea, and Japan, tracks the enforcement of sanctions against North Korea. This group was established following the UN panel whose mandate ended in 2024 due to Russia's veto.