New Details on 'Exploitation of African Women' in Iranian Drone Factory in Russia

Associated Press has reported on how dozens of young African women have been transported to Russia under false promises to work in the 'Shahed' drone manufacturing factory in Russia. American officials first made documents related to the establishment of the drone factory in Russia with Iranian assistance public in the summer of 2023. The new report from Associated Press indicates that the number of employees at this manufacturing complex will increase from 900 last year to 2,600 next year. A human rights official at the United Nations stated that if the false promises made during hiring and the conditions of exploitation at the workplace in 'Alabuga' are confirmed, Russia's actions could potentially constitute human trafficking, while Russia is a member of the international convention against transnational organized crime. Another part of the report discusses the low quality of the 'Shahed' suicide drones produced in Russia, with 95% of them failing to reach their targets in recent months. Satellite images of the Alabuga economic zone in Tatarstan from November 2021, before Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, and from September 2024, showing the increase and expansion of structures and buildings in the area, are presented. The production of Shahed drones in Russia has been ongoing in Alabuga, located in the autonomous Republic of Tatarstan, about 1,100 kilometers east of Moscow and approximately 3,000 kilometers north of Tehran, which has been officially declared an economic zone for about twenty years and was recognized as the best economic zone in Europe by the British publication 'Financial Times' eight years ago. However, since the onset of Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, which has involved sending Russian men to the front lines, a wave of migration, sanctions, and the exit of Western investors from Russia, the Alabuga economic zone has faced serious financial problems. Recently, it has been reported that the Iranian industrial group 'Entekhab' is seeking to establish a home appliance production line in Alabuga, but this process faces many obstacles, including the fact that this economic zone is no longer a site for civilian production but has become a center for the production of Iranian drones under a $7.1 billion contract between Moscow and Tehran. The Institute for Science and International Security based in Washington has estimated, relying on hacked documents, that 6,000 suicide drones were to be produced in Alabuga by next year, and since more than 4,500 have been built so far, this program is likely to be completed ahead of schedule. Last spring, the Shahed production factory in Alabuga was targeted by Ukrainian drones, injuring at least 12 people in the attack. According to Associated Press, one reason for the significant increase in the production of Shahed drones is the increase in workers at this factory. According to official information from the Alabuga economic zone headquarters, citizens from 22 countries currently work in this complex. Polytechnic school students are also employed at the drone production factory. Recently, the President of Tatarstan announced that the number of students at this school has doubled this academic year to 10,000. He confirmed that these students are expected to be the main workforce in the production centers of Alabuga. Meanwhile, none of the official Russian authorities have confirmed the production of suicide drones in this country in collaboration with Iran. It is estimated that Russia has launched about 4,000 Shahed drones against targets in Ukraine since the start of the war in 2022 and until the end of 2023. In the first seven months of this year, the number of these drones has doubled, and by mid-summer, about 14% of these drones hit their targets on average. However, in recent months, 95% of the Shahed drones have failed to reach their targets, and some have even crashed in Russia or Belarus, Russia's ally, or entered the airspace of other neighboring countries of Ukraine. According to Associated Press, on one hand, Ukraine has acquired more air defense systems, and on the other hand, Russia is equipping these drones with fewer explosives, likely aiming to weaken Ukraine's air defense systems. Simultaneously, the lower quality of the Shahed drones produced in Russia compared to their Iranian counterparts has been cited as another reason for this inefficiency. Some experts say that Russia has been forced to use lower-quality materials, while others believe that inexperienced workers are responsible for this poor quality. Alabuga is the only manufacturing complex in Russia that employs women from Africa, Asia, and Latin America for weapon production. According to Associated Press, about 200 women aged 18 to 22 from Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria, as well as from Sri Lanka, primarily work with chemicals in this factory. About 90% of these women have gone to Russia as part of a large advertising campaign called 'Alabuga Start,' which promises women 'career advancements.' Russian officials have visited 26 embassies in Moscow to promote this campaign and have held several events in African countries. The campaign's Telegram channel states that a special program was held at an orphanage in Uganda. Officials in Uganda and Ethiopia have also supported this campaign, and the Sierra Leone ambassador in Russia expressed hope that this 'training program' would expand. However, 'Alabuga Start' has recently emphasized that it is not a training program. In African media, it is referred to as 'a way to earn money and gain experience.' Basi, a South African influencer with 800,000 followers, has promoted on TikTok and Instagram for 'those looking for work to go to Alabuga.' The campaign's social media pages include numerous videos of African women wearing helmets operating cranes or painting while dressed in protective clothing, visiting tourist attractions in Tatarstan, or engaging in sports. Some advertisements promise young women that by learning a hundred Russian words, they will receive money and free plane tickets for 'an adventurous trip to Europe.' However, most of these women have been forced to work 'in slave-like conditions' in the Iranian drone manufacturing factory in Tatarstan instead of the promised 'training and work.' According to Associated Press, one woman was satisfied with her work and life in Alabuga, but others complained about working 12-hour shifts under surveillance cameras and exposed to chemicals without any protection, all for very low wages. One woman who left her home in hopes of a better life in Russia said, 'I have no idea how drones are made.' She believes she is 'trapped and curses the day she started working here.' In the 'Alabuga Start' advertisements, a salary of $700 was promised to these women, while social media reports indicate a salary of $500 per month. One woman told Associated Press that after her housing, healthcare, and Russian language class expenses were deducted from her salary, she didn't even have enough money to buy a bus ticket. Meanwhile, another woman said she managed to save $150 and send it to her family, although sending money has become very difficult after banking sanctions against Russia. At the same time, it is reported that the factory management is reluctant for these women to leave their jobs. Their dormitories are under constant protection, entry is only possible after facial recognition, and the buses transporting workers from the dormitories to the workplace are checked multiple times by guards. Foreign employees have also been given local SIM cards, and many of these women believe that their correspondence is being monitored, while the use of mobile phones at work is strictly prohibited. Hacked documents released last winter indicated that African women work separately from white employees in Alabuga and are often treated disrespectfully. Although it has been reported that some have managed to go to another location in Russia or return to their home countries, Associated Press journalists have been unable to verify these reports. Previously, Russian investigative media 'Razvorot' and 'Protocol' reported that polytechnic school students in Alabuga, some of whom are forced to work for the drone factory from the age of 15, have been threatened that if they withdraw, they will be required to repay all educational expenses. Human Rights Watch told Associated Press that it is unaware of the working conditions in Alabuga, but reports that Russia has deceived citizens of African countries as well as Nepal and India to send them to the front lines in Ukraine have been confirmed. The Minister of Labor and Social Development of Uganda told reporters that he has shared his concerns with the Russian government, but added that citizens of his country do not work in Alabuga, while official documents list 46 women from Uganda.