A report details the experiences of Adau, a South Sudanese woman, and others recruited through Russia's "Alabuga Start" program, which targeted young women primarily from Africa, Latin America, and South-East Asia with promises of professional training. Participants, including Adau, stated they were placed in a drone factory upon arrival, despite expectations of working in other technical fields. The program has faced accusations of deceptive recruitment, unsafe working conditions, and lower-than-advertised pay, which Alabuga denies.
Recruitment and Arrival
Adau, a 23-year-old from South Sudan, described her first day of work in Russia, stating she and other recruits were taken directly to a drone factory. She reported being recruited last year to the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan, Russia, under the promise of a full-time job. Adau had applied to the Alabuga Start program, a recruitment initiative aimed at 18-to-22-year-old women primarily from Africa, and increasingly from Latin America and South-East Asia. The program advertises professional training in fields such as logistics, catering, and hospitality. However, the program has been accused of employing deceptive recruitment practices and of subjecting recruits to hazardous conditions and lower wages than initially stated. Alabuga denies these allegations but acknowledged that some employees were involved in drone construction.
The Alabuga Start program recently drew international attention when South African influencers promoting it faced accusations of human trafficking. The BBC contacted the influencers and the program promoter, but received no response. Estimates suggest over 1,000 women have been recruited from Africa to work in facilities at Alabuga. In August, the South African government initiated an investigation and issued a warning to its citizens regarding participation.
Adau, who requested anonymity, stated she learned about the program in 2023 through a friend's Facebook post advertising a scholarship in Russia, which she identified as being from the South Sudanese Ministry of Higher Education. She contacted the program organizers via WhatsApp and was asked to fill out a form detailing her name, age, and reasons for joining, as well as to select three preferred fields of work. Adau reported selecting tower-crane operator as her primary choice, citing an interest in technology and a desire to work in fields less commonly pursued by women in her country. The application process, including visa procedures, spanned a year.
Adau arrived in Russia in March of the previous year. She described the weather as "freezing cold" upon arrival, but reported a positive initial impression of the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, noting numerous factories, cars, and agricultural companies.
Work Environment and Conditions
After three months of language classes, Adau began work in July. She stated that participants were not offered a choice regarding their placement in the drone factory and had signed non-disclosure agreements. Adau reported that many participants had questions because they had signed up for technical fields such as production operation, logistics, or tower-crane operation, but were assigned to the drone factory. Alabuga stated that it does not use deception in recruitment and that "All the fields in which our participants work are listed on our website."
Workers were prohibited from taking photos inside the facility. The BBC presented Adau with footage from Russian state-owned TV station RT depicting a factory in Alabuga producing Iranian Shahed 136 drones. Adau confirmed that this was her workplace. Spencer Faragasso from the Institute For Science And International Security stated that "The reality of the Alabuga Special Economic Zone is that it's a war production facility." Faragasso also stated that Russia has publicly acknowledged producing Shahed 136 drones at the site in released videos. Faragasso reported that many women interviewed who participated in the program, similar to Adau, were unaware they would be manufacturing weapons. He described the program as appearing to be an opportunity for women to gain experience and earn wages, but reported that participants found "these promises are not kept, and the reality of their work is far different from what they're promised."
Adau stated she realized she could not continue working at the factory. She reported feeling that "all the lies that we have been told since the time of application" became apparent. Adau resigned, but was informed of a two-week notice period during which she was required to work. She stated that during this period, she painted drone casings with chemicals that caused her skin to burn and peel. Adau reported that despite wearing white cloth overalls as protective gear, the chemicals permeated the fabric, causing it to stiffen. Alabuga stated that all staff receive appropriate protective clothing.
Drone Attack and Aftermath
On April 2, 2024, two weeks after Adau's arrival, the Alabuga Special Economic Zone was targeted by a Ukrainian drone strike. Adau stated that she awoke to an "unusual" fire alarm, with shattered windows on the upper floor of her hostel and some individuals reporting an explosion. She described seeing others running and observing a drone in the sky, prompting her to run. The BBC verified footage provided by Adau, confirming it was taken on the day and at the location of what was then Ukraine's deepest drone strike into Russian territory.
Adau reported that the drone struck the adjacent hostel, causing its destruction and damaging her own building. She later connected the drone attack to her work in the drone factory, stating, "Ukraine knew that the African girls who had come to work in the drone factories, lived in that hostel that was struck down. It was in the news. When Ukraine was accused of hitting civilian houses, they said: 'No, those are workers working in drone factories.'" Following the drone attack, some women reportedly left the program without notification, leading organizers to temporarily confiscate workers' passports. Adau stated that she had been repeatedly assured by staff that recruits would only work in their chosen fields, which she said led her to view allegations of drone production as "anti-Russian propaganda" or "fake news." She added that she perceived Russia's recruitment of African workers as an effort to fill positions vacated by European and American staff following the Ukraine-Russia war and associated sanctions.
Financial Conditions and Departures
Adau's family provided her with a return ticket after she resigned. She stated that many women cannot afford flights home due to their pay being significantly lower than advertised. Adau reported that her expected monthly salary was $600 (£450), but she received approximately one-sixth of that amount. She listed deductions for rent, Russian classes, Wi-Fi, transport to work, and taxes. Adau also stated that deductions were applied for missed work ($50), setting off a fire alarm ($60), and not completing Russian language homework or missing class. The Alabuga Start program informed the BBC that salaries are partly contingent on performance and workplace conduct.
Another unnamed participant in the program reported a positive experience, stating, "To be honest every company has rules. How can they pay you your full salary if you miss work, or don't perform well? Everything is logical, no-one is subjected to what they do not want. Most of the girls who end up leaving missed work and didn't follow the rules. Alabuga doesn't hold anyone hostage, you can leave at any time."
Participant's Reflection
Adau described her experience working in the drone factory as distressing. She stated, "It felt terrible. There was a time when I got back to my hostel and I cried. I thought to myself: 'I can't believe this is what I'm doing now.' It felt horrible having a hand in constructing something that is taking so many lives."