Rita Odafe
Many young African women fell victim to alluring social media promotions promising free flights, financial benefits, and exciting experiences in Europe.
They were told that to qualify, they simply needed to play a computer game and take a brief Russian vocabulary test.
However, once they reached Tatarstan, they realized they were to work in a factory, manufacturing Iranian-designed drones for use in Ukraine instead of partaking in desired hospitality training.
Interviews conducted by The Associated Press revealed that many women voiced their concerns about harsh working conditions, including long shifts under continuous oversight, unfulfilled promises regarding pay and job roles, and exposure to harmful chemicals that have negatively affected their skin.
Amid a pressing labor shortage due to ongoing conflict, the Kremlin has been actively recruiting young women aged 18 to 22 from countries like Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka, with efforts now also reaching other regions in Asia and Latin America.
Approximately 200 African women have been assigned key positions in Moscow’s weapon manufacturing industry, working alongside Russian vocational students as young as 16 at a facility in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, situated about 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) from Moscow.
“I don’t really know how to make drones,” shared one Nigerian woman who accepted the job offer in Russia.
The Associated Press’s investigation incorporated analysis of satellite images of the industrial site, scrutiny of internal documents, interviews with several African employees, and the discovery of numerous videos from an online recruitment initiative called “Alabuga Start,” which highlight the daunting conditions the workers endure.
