Ukraine’s Chief of the General Staff, Major General Andriy Hnatov, recently stated that Russia may be employing as many as 20,000 North Korean laborers to assist in the manufacturing of weapons, including tactical unmanned aerial systems. This operation is reportedly concentrated in Yelabuga, a town located in Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan, where the production of Geran loitering munitions—Russia’s counterpart to the Iranian-developed Shahed kamikaze drones—is taking place.
Hnatov emphasized that verification of this figure is still required, according to Ukraine’s state-owned news agency, Ukrinform. He explained, “North Korean workers are also involved in the production of military goods, in particular the Geran drones … about 20,000 North Korean workers were involved. That is also participation in the conflict.”
Further underscoring the collaboration between the two nations, Hnatov confirmed the presence of North Korean troops in Russia’s Kursk region. This detail was initially revealed by the region’s acting governor, Alexander Khinshtein, earlier in September. While Moscow has characterized these troops as engineering units designated for mine clearance, Ukrainian authorities have observed no active participation by these units in recent fighting.
The partnership between North Korea and Russia has intensified, with North Korea reportedly providing significant military supplies, including artillery and missiles, alongside the deployment of personnel. In late 2024, North Korea is estimated to have sent around 11,000 to 12,000 troops to support Russian efforts, with about 2,000 casualties reported. Plans have also emerged for an additional 6,000 North Korean troops to join the conflict.
The increasing reliance on foreign labor is evident, as reports from August 2025 indicated that Moscow might seek to recruit even more North Korean workers, potentially numbering in the tens of thousands. This shift underscores Russia’s dependence on external assistance to sustain and bolster its weapons production capabilities amid the ongoing conflict.
North Korea has a longstanding practice of dispatching its citizens abroad for labor to generate revenue for its regime, despite existing United Nations sanctions. Should the involvement of North Korean laborers in Russia’s defense industry be confirmed, it would signify a significant deepening of the military partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang.
