Iran's Role in Russia's Drone Production Program and the Exploitation of African Women

A research report by the English section of Voice of America examines the critical support of the Iranian government for Russia's military drone production program in the Tatarstan region. According to the report, African women have been lured to the 'Alabuga' area with false promises to work under dangerous conditions in the assembly of drones, including the Iranian Shahed-136. The report adds that in early 2023 (January 1402), one hundred students from the 'Alabuga Polytechnic' educational institute traveled to Tehran to participate in a two-month training program for assembling the Shahed-136 drone's body. The Voice of America report indicates that this program demonstrates the depth of military relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Russia. 'Alabuga,' initially introduced as a civilian industrial facility, shifted to military drone production following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Reports indicate that Iranian specialists have played a key role in establishing the drone production line at this military complex. The report further states that the international dimensions of this program expanded in 2022 with the launch of the 'Alabuga Start' project, aimed at attracting personnel from African countries including Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria. Although Russian propaganda in these countries presents an ideal image of educational and work life, recruits soon find themselves forced to work in drone assembly under conditions that violate labor laws in Russia and involve contact with toxic materials. David Albright, founder of the Institute for Science and International Security, commented on the exploitative nature of this program, stating that young women unwittingly become complicit in assembling drones used to target civilians and infrastructure in Ukraine. Albright emphasized that the strategy employed by the Russians is 'deceptive' and 'has global implications.' Some African governments, despite increasing evidence, have often played a facilitating role in the 'Alabuga Start' project. Albright's research indicates that the project has been officially promoted on government platforms in Nigeria and Uganda, and cooperation agreements have been signed between Alabuga and officials from Sierra Leone, Zambia, and Madagascar. Additionally, evidence shows efforts to recruit personnel in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Bangladesh. The support of the Islamic Republic, initially limited to selling drones to Russia, has since expanded to participation in their production on Russian soil. Despite repeated warnings from the international community regarding support for Vladimir Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine, the Iranian government has not only failed to reduce its support for Russia but has also elevated military cooperation with Moscow in recent months through the sale of ballistic missiles to Putin's government. The Islamic Republic's insistence on supporting Russia's occupation of Ukraine comes as the U.S. and the European Union have imposed several extensive sanction packages against individuals and entities involved in developing military relations between Tehran and Moscow, repeatedly warning that they will continue to impose further sanctions against the Iranian government. New U.S. sanctions against the Iranian government's missile and drone program actors have been enacted, and the European Union has called for an end to Iranian military assistance to Russia. Russia has also recruited Houthi mercenaries to fight in Ukraine. Britain has sanctioned 'Iran Air' and the Islamic Republic's shipping, while the European Union has sanctioned the Islamic Republic's shipping. Lavrov stated that the comprehensive agreement with the Islamic Republic includes defense cooperation.