The Associated Press conducted an investigation that revealed how Russia has been recruiting young African women to produce drones for its invasion of Ukraine. These women are promised benefits such as plane tickets, education, higher salaries, and a European adventure, but end up working at a drone plant in Russia’s Alabuga Special Economic Zone. The recruitment program targets women aged 18-22 from countries like Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Latin America, as Russia faces a labor shortage due to wartime casualties and mass emigration.
The recruitment program, known as “Alabuga Start,” uses a slick and shady approach, with modern social media campaigns showing the women in various roles at the factory. The program is promoted through social media influencers, recruiting events, and collaboration with education ministries in countries like Uganda and Ethiopia. However, women often only discover the nature of their work once they arrive at the factory, which involves handling caustic chemicals without proper protective gear. The women are closely monitored, live in guarded dormitories, and are subjected to strict rules, such as no phones allowed in the factory.
Many of the women recruited for the drone production program in Russia report poor treatment, long working hours, and deductions from their salaries for various expenses like accommodation, airfare, and medical care. Some described their experience as being treated like slaves and suggested that their rights were being violated. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights noted that Russia’s actions could potentially amount to trafficking if the recruitment is fraudulent and aimed at exploitation. The Uganda government also expressed concerns over the recruitment effort targeting vulnerable young women.
The production of drones at the Alabuga factory has been increasing, with plans to produce 6,000 drones a year by 2025. This surge in production is part of a $17 billion deal between Russia and Iran, with drones being supplied to Russia for military use. However, there are concerns about the accuracy of these drones, as a large percentage of attacks have failed to hit their targets. Various explanations have been suggested for the failures, including improved air defenses in Ukraine, the use of drones with no payload to overwhelm defenses, or the possibility of low-skilled workers affecting the accuracy of the drone strikes.
Overall, the investigation by the Associated Press sheds light on the exploitation of young African women in Russia’s drone production industry. The recruitment tactics, poor working conditions, and potential human rights violations faced by these women highlight the darker side of Russia’s military operations in Ukraine. The increased production of drones coupled with concerns over their accuracy raise questions about the effectiveness and ethical considerations of using such tactics in the ongoing conflict. It is crucial for international organizations and governments to address these issues and ensure the protection of vulnerable individuals caught up in such operations.
