
Faith Nyasuguta
In a recent investigation, it has been revealed that young Africans recruited to work in Russia were deceived into manufacturing drones intended for use in Ukraine. The recruitment drive, which targeted women aged 18-22 from countries such as Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria, as well as Sri Lanka, promised opportunities in fields like hospitality and catering.
However, upon arrival in Russia, these women found themselves working in factories producing Iranian-designed Shahed-136 drones. These drones, initially shipped disassembled to Russia, are now being assembled in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan, about 1,000 kilometers east of Moscow.
The recruitment process involved social media ads offering free plane tickets, money, and a chance to experience Europe. Applicants were required to complete a computer game and a 100-word Russian vocabulary test. Despite these seemingly benign requirements, the reality was starkly different.
Upon arrival, the women discovered they were toiling in factories under constant surveillance, working long hours with caustic chemicals that caused skin irritation and other health issues. Promises of wages and educational opportunities were broken, leaving many of the recruits disillusioned and regretful.

The Alabuga Special Economic Zone has become a central hub for drone production in Russia, with about 200 African women working alongside Russian vocational students as young as 16. The factory’s focus is on assembling drone parts that do not require extensive skills, making it possible to employ inexperienced workers.
The AP investigation, which included satellite image analysis and interviews with several African women, highlighted the deceptive nature of the recruitment process and the harsh working conditions at the plant.
One woman from Uganda, who had abandoned her job at home for the Russian offer, documented her journey with excitement, taking selfies at the airport and during the flight. However, her enthusiasm quickly turned to despair upon realizing the true nature of her work.
She described the experience as a trap, expressing deep regret for her decision. The vocabulary test she took included words like “factory” and verbs such as “to hook” and “to unhook,” which hinted at the industrial nature of the job, but this was not apparent to the applicants at the time.
The Kremlin’s recruitment drive is part of a broader effort to address labor shortages in wartime Russia. The program, known as “Alabuga Start,” is expanding to other regions in Asia and Latin America, further increasing the number of foreign workers involved in drone production. The investigation revealed that about 90% of the foreign women recruited through this program are engaged in drone manufacturing, particularly in assembling parts that require minimal training.
The use of African labor in Russian drone factories has raised ethical concerns, especially given the deceptive recruitment practices and the dangerous working conditions. The women recruited for these jobs were lured with false promises and are now contributing to the war effort in Ukraine, a conflict far removed from their home countries.

This situation shines a light on the exploitation of vulnerable populations in global conflicts and the need for greater scrutiny of international labor practices. The revelations from this investigation have sparked calls for accountability and better protection for migrant workers worldwide.
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