Russia granted more than 36,000 entry visas to North Koreans in 2025, according to new consular data, amid the allies’ flourishing cooperation over the war in Ukraine.

The data released on Wednesday shows that Russia’s diplomatic missions issued DPRK nationals a total of 36,413 visas, a fourfold increase from 9,239 visas in 2024.

Over 98%, or 35,839 visas, were for education, compared with 8,616 the year before.

An NK Pro investigationpreviously uncovered how Russian firms use student visas to procure DPRK workers. Such visas are typically arranged through educational institutions under the pretense of professional training, while Russian