Russia-DPRK cooperation expands into drone production, labor, and battlefield learning

Investigative reporting alleges Russia is recruiting up to 25,000 North Koreans to assemble drones, extending cooperation beyond ammunition and troops. The figures and arrangements remain unconfirmed, but labor and battlefield channels could generate revenue for Pyongyang, support Russia’s war effort, deepen sanctions evasion, and transfer military-industrial or irregular-warfare expertise.