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, a 20-year-old from Sierra Leone, plans to leave her home country soon for an apprenticeship in Russia, 7,000 kilometers away. Her travel expenses will be covered by the Alabuga Start program, located in an industrial area in southwestern Russia.
A report by the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime, published in May, states that many new arrivals find themselves assembling drones under poor conditions. DW reached out to several participants of the program, but most are reluctant to speak due to fear of reprisals.
Chinara, a Nigerian participant in the Alabuga program, expressed her disappointment through social media messaging services. She shared that participants initially felt hopeful as they were promised roles in logistics, service, catering, and other areas. However, upon arrival, they were assigned tasks in drone assembly and production under unsafe conditions.
The Alabuga SEZ is a significant hub for Geran-2 drone production, which are reportedly used in attacks on Ukraine. Established in 2006 to attract investment in Tatarstan, the facility expanded after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, shifting focus to military production.
Official Russian government data from the Single Interdepartmental Information and Statistical System (SIISS) indicates that over 111,000 African workers arrived in Russia in 2024, a 50% increase since 2022. The study by the Global Initiative notes that the Alabuga Start program initially targeted African women aged 18 to 22 but has since expanded to other regions, including Asia and Latin America.
Julia Stanyard, co-author of the study, highlighted the exploitative working conditions at Alabuga Polytech, where girls as young as 16 are employed. The young women report long hours and exposure to hazardous chemicals, with many feeling trapped and unable to leave.
In Zimbabwe, parents express concern for their children involved in the program. One mother shared her daughter's experience of forced labor and withheld wages. Similarly, another parent in Harare reported that her daughter's passport was confiscated, preventing her from leaving.
In Botswana, Interpol has begun investigating the Alabuga Start program for potential human trafficking involvement. Stanyard remarked that the program's deceptive nature is becoming more apparent, with countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania launching their own investigations.
The Alabuga Start program did not respond to DW's request for comment.