Exploitation in Russian War Factories: African Women Forced into Drone Production

Moscow: They hoped for a better career but ended up in Russia's war factories. A new study reveals how young women, mainly from Africa, have been exploited. Some of those affected have shared their stories with DW. According to Deutsche Welle, Aminata, 20, from Sierra Leone, planned to leave her home country to pursue an apprenticeship in Russia, with travel expenses covered by the Alabuga Start program. However, the reality for many new arrivals differs significantly from their expectations, as they find themselves assembling drones under poor conditions. DW reached out to several participants of the program, but many declined to share their experiences publicly due to fear of reprisal. Chinara, a Nigerian participant, expressed her disappointment in an interview via social media, revealing that they were subjected to hard labor with low wages, contrary to the promised opportunities in logistics, service, and catering. The Alabuga SEZ in southwestern Russia, where the program is based, is a major producti on hub for Geran-2 drones, crucial in attacks on Ukraine. Established in 2006, the facility expanded its operations following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, converting parts to military production amidst reported labor shortages. Data from the Single Interdepartmental Information and Statistical System (SIISS) shows a surge in African workers arriving in Russia, with over 111,000 recorded in 2024-a 50% increase since 2022. The recruitment primarily targets African women aged 18 to 22, but has expanded to other regions globally. The study, conducted between December 2024 and March 2025, involved around 60 interviews. Co-author Julia Stanyard highlighted the exploitative working conditions, with young women working long hours under supervision and exposed to health risks from chemicals. Families in Zimbabwe express concern as children who set off to Russia for technical education report forced labor and withheld wages. Some parents, unable to contact their daughters, fear for their safety. In Botswana , Interpol is investigating Alabuga Start for potential human trafficking, as awareness of the program's risks grows in countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Despite requests for comment, Alabuga Start has remained silent on the allegations. The article was contributed to by Garikai Mafirakureva in Zimbabwe and Aleksei Strelnikov, adapted from German.