In Tatarstan, “Alabuga”: North Koreans will produce drones for attacks on Ukraine
Russia intends to recruit approximately 12,000 North Korean citizens to work at the enterprises of the Alabuga economic zone in Tatarstan by the end of 2025. This production specializes in the production of Shaded/Geran drones, which are used by the Russian army to attack civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.
The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine provided this information. It is noted that last month, Russian officials met with representatives of the North Korean company Jihyang Technology Trade Company, which recruits labor from the DPRK, to discuss conditions for attracting workers.
According to available data, workers are offered an approximate hourly rate of 2.5 US dollars, and the shift will last at least 12 hours.
Experts believe that such steps indicate the deepening of cooperation between the military-industrial complexes of both countries and demonstrate Moscow’s readiness to use all available resources to continue aggression against Ukraine. The Alabuga zone is already considered a center for drone production, and the recruitment of large numbers of foreign workers is aimed at increasing production capacity, despite personnel difficulties and international sanctions.
The intelligence community emphasizes that this use of cheap labor by the repressive regime for military purposes could become a long-term practice if sanctions pressure on Moscow does not increase.
