(Moscow) – South Sudanese and other African women are reportedly being recruited under false pretences to work in Russia’s growing drone production facilities, with many ending up in harsh, secretive, and potentially dangerous jobs.
Investigations reveal that women from South Sudan, Uganda, Mali, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, and Botswana have been recruited into military drone assembly without prior knowledge of the nature of the work.
The recruitment is being conducted through a programme called “Alabuga Start,” linked to the Alabuga Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Tatarstan, Russia. Many young women, mostly aged between 18 and 22, were promised training and high-paying jobs, but testimonies from some of those who arrived in Russia paint a very different picture.
According to a May 2025 report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime, the Alabuga Start programme has recently expanded its reach to Latin America and South Asia, with continued recruitment efforts also being driven through Russian embassies in African nations, including South Sudan.
Reports suggest that these women were not informed that they would be engaged in weapons manufacturing, particularly the assembly of “Geranium” drones, which have been used in Russia’s military operations. Some believed they were enrolling in vocational training or general production work. Instead, they found themselves working long hours under constant surveillance and exposed to toxic chemicals.
Eyewitness accounts reveal harsh working conditions inside the Alabuga SEZ, with recruits suffering from health issues due to exposure to industrial chemicals, while also being subjected to strict supervision, punishment for minor infractions, and limited personal freedom. Many women also reported experiences of racism, harassment, and oppressive management practices.
Recruitment reportedly occurs via social media, online platforms, and local intermediaries operating in African countries. In some cases, influencers and informal agents are used to reach potential candidates, often glossing over the realities of life in the SEZ.
Besides drone assembly, some of the African women, including South Sudanese nationals, were assigned to roles such as cleaning and food service. However, the working conditions remained severe across the facility.
The Alabuga Special Economic Zone is reportedly financed and supervised by the Russian Ministry of Defence, raising concerns about the blurred lines between state policy, commercial enterprise, and criminal exploitation. Experts say the situation represents a troubling intersection of military ambition and unethical labour practices.
Authorities in some African nations have begun responding to the growing international concern. In Botswana, police have asked Interpol to investigate allegations of human trafficking involving women employed at the SEZ.