Russia plans to import 12,000 workers from the DPRK to produce Shaheds«
The Ukrainian Military Intelligence (GUR) reports that Russia is planning to bring in about 12 thousand workers from the DPRK to increase the production of attack drones, in particular, Geranium/Shahed.
According to intelligence, workers from North Korea are to work on the territory of of the Alabuga Special Economic Zone« in Tatarstan, where the main facilities for the production of barrage munitions are located.
Details of Russia's plans
The GUR clarifies:
The Russian Federation is planning to import 12,000 DPRK citizens,
They will be used in the production of attack drones,
will work in the Gerainey assembly cycle (Shahed-136 and modifications),
earnings - about $2.5/hour,
shift duration - at least 12 hours,
Pyongyang is actually «exporting» labour, and workers' salaries are partially seized by the DPRK's state structures.
The intelligence notes that the use of DPRK nationals may violate UN sanctions against North Korea.
Context.
Special economic zone «Alabuga» has become a central hub in Russia's programme to increase the production of attack drones for the war against Ukraine.
Previously, independent investigations had shown that the factory employed underage students from a local college who were used to assemble drones in gruelling conditions.
The involvement of North Korean labour may indicate a shortage of personnel and the Kremlin's attempts to speed up military production.
Ukrainian
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