Supercharging Drone Production: 25,000 North Koreans Helping Russia Step Up Attacks
Over twenty-five thousand North Koreans are set to collaborate with Russia in executing drone-related acts of terrorism.
Going toe-to-toe with Ukraine's defenses, Russia's drone attacks have never been more ruthless. The production of Shahed drones is surging, as hundreds attack nightly and overburden air defenses. Heaps of casualties follow suit. It seems Russia wants to ratchet up the scale once more, and North Korean labor might be the catalyst.
According to information from Japan's public broadcaster, North Korea is in talks about sending workers to bolster Russia's drone production. In return, Pyongyang will learn the ropes of unmanned aerial vehicle operations, as relayed by diplomatic sources from the West and Russia, according to NHK.
Driven by heavy losses in Ukraine and an exodus of citizens, Russia is heavily reliant on foreign labor to keep its arms industry humming. The special economic zone of Alabuga in Tatarstan has been under scrutiny for luring foreign workers with false promises and then putting them to work producing drones like Shaheds or Geran-2. Reports suggest Moscow is eyeing African women from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Russia and North Korea inked an agreement on a comprehensive strategic partnership last year. Pyongyang has allegedly been providing Moscow with ammunition and weapons, and thousands of North Koreans have been spotted serving alongside Kremlin troops.
Recent headlines declare both sides eager to strengthen their partnership. As reported by Interfax, the secretary of Russia's Security Council, Sergei Shoigu, announced that 1,000 North Korean pioneers will be sent to the Kursk region, and 5,000 military builders will aid with reconstruction after the Ukrainian offensive.
All this activity in the drone sector takes the strategic alliance between the two nations to new heights. Count on this collaboration to empower Russia in its conflict in Ukraine while granting North Korea a significant influx of cash, valuable technical expertise, and a stronger military presence.
[1] NHK World, “N. Korea reportedly to send 25,000 workers to Russia", link[2] The Diplomat, “North Korean Laborers Aid Russia's Arms Production in Alabuga", [link] (https://thediplomat.com/2022/10/north-korean-laborers-aid-russias-arms-production-in-alabuga/)[3] Kyodo News, “Russia working to expand production of Iran-made kamikaze drones with North Korea's help", link[4] Radio Free Europe, “Russia Delivers Iranian-Made Drones Syria After Ukraine", link
- North Korea
- Russia
- Drones
- Wars and Conflicts
- In light of the escalating drone attacks against Ukraine, it could be reasonable to question the alignment of Russia's employment policy, as suggested by the increasing numbers of North Korean workers reportedly being hired to boost drone production.
- With Russia and North Korea's growing comprehensive strategic partnership, the general news and politics circles have been abuzz with the potential impact of this collaboration on war-and-conflicts, as the two nations strive to strengthen their alliance, particularly in the drone sector.
