Young African women seeking work opportunities in Europe were lured into a different reality upon arriving in Russia. Promised free travel, a stable income, and a chance to pursue a work-study program in fields like hospitality and catering, they instead found themselves working in a drone factory in Russia’s Tatarstan region. Instead of the educational experiences they anticipated, they were assigned to assembly lines, building drones destined for use in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
These women, aged 18-22, faced harsh conditions at the factory, located in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone. They worked long hours under constant surveillance and handled caustic chemicals, which led to skin irritation and other health issues. Despite expectations of fair wages and study opportunities, many of them found that the conditions were far from what they had been promised. The promised wages were reduced after deductions for accommodation, airfare, and other expenses, making it difficult for them to send money home or even cover basic needs.
The Alabuga Special Economic Zone became a hub for the production of Iranian-designed Shahed-136 drones, with Russia ramping up efforts to meet wartime demands. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, production shifted from importing disassembled drones to manufacturing them locally in the Alabuga facility. This location has become the primary plant for producing these drones, with a target of 6,000 units annually by 2025. The factory is reportedly ahead of schedule, producing 4,500 drones thus far.
To address the shortage of workers for these facilities, Russia turned to foreign labor, targeting young women from Africa, Sri Lanka, and other regions. They were recruited through the “Alabuga Start” program, which used social media ads and influencers to present the opportunity as a way to earn money and gain new skills. The program specifically targeted young women, possibly due to the perception that they might be easier to control. The recruitment drive even extended to orphanages in Uganda, with officials visiting over 26 embassies to promote the program.
Once in Russia, the recruits faced strict controls, living in guarded dormitories and traveling under surveillance. Their movements were monitored, with facial recognition systems used at entry points, and they were prohibited from using their phones inside the factory. Many of the women expressed dissatisfaction with the work environment, stating that their reality did not match the promises made during recruitment. Despite being billed as a work-study opportunity, the Alabuga Start program recently adjusted its messaging, clarifying that it was not an educational program.
The factory’s workforce is a mix of foreign recruits and Russian vocational students, many as young as 16. Reports suggest that some of these students were required to repay tuition costs if they attempted to leave the program. The factory’s management has struggled to retain workers, facing high turnover due to the challenging conditions and low pay. This has led them to consider replacing foreign recruits with Russian-speaking staff.
While the drone production is progressing, questions have emerged about the quality of the drones being produced. Analysis of drone attacks in Ukraine revealed that a significant portion of the drones failed to hit their intended targets, raising concerns about the impact of unskilled labor on production quality. Some experts speculate that these failures may also be due to changes in materials and design, as Russia adapts the original Iranian drone blueprints to local production.
The working conditions and the deceptive nature of the recruitment process have drawn attention from human rights organizations, who suggest that Russia’s actions could meet the criteria for human trafficking. The recruitment of foreign labor under misleading promises and the use of young, inexperienced workers in potentially dangerous roles point to a larger issue of exploitation. The situation has prompted inquiries from some African governments, seeking to ensure the safety and well-being of their citizens working in Russia.
Despite the challenges, Russia’s drone production continues, supported by a workforce that is growing rapidly. With the Alabuga facility expanding and production targets ahead of schedule, the country has increased its drone deployment in the conflict. However, as recruitment efforts continue, the gap between promises made and the reality faced by these young workers raises critical questions about the ethics and transparency of such programs.
The Alabuga Start program has shifted its strategy, becoming more direct about the nature of the work involved. Nevertheless, the appealing imagery of cultural experiences and sports activities in Tatarstan remains a focal point of its promotional materials, masking the true nature of the work being done. The program’s social media presence, which once focused on the opportunity for a new life, now attracts numerous job seekers from Africa, Asia, and beyond, drawn by the hope of financial stability. As the situation evolves, the experiences of these young women continue to shed light on the complex dynamics of labor, war, and exploitation.
