Russia lures young women from Africa to work in the production of shaheeds
news.online.ua
Fri, 02 May 2025 22:05:00 +0300
Russia recruits African women to work at UAV factoryThe Russian Federation is developing a global cooperation program in Africa, and local residents are promised training and work in the Alabuga special economic zone.
It is said that the flyers and advertising materials depict smiling young African women working as technicians and waitresses.
However, according to media reports, the reality of life and work at Alabuz is much bleaker than the advertising portrays.
The podcasts senior reporter, Anthony Sguazzin, investigated whether the claims about the program were true.According to the publication, instead of providing real employment opportunities, the program may expose young African women to risk, even working in conditions close to war zones.Journalists note that young African women are being targeted by unscrupulous employers from Russia.
In particular, in Tatarstan, they are being forced to work at a factory producing drones and possibly other munitions in grueling, dangerous conditions and for much less money than promised.Job fairs are held for potential workers, one of which was in Botswana, for example.
There, a number of vacancies were advertised offering work and training in the hospitality and repair business.Participants in the special program are recruited for quite decent money over 800 per month, and women aged 18 to 22 are recruited.
It is noted that in 2025, employers plan to lure thousands of women from Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan, Nigeria, and other African countries to Russia.
They are attracted by highpaying jobs in Russia and Europe.
According to the investigator, there are testimonies from people who returned after participating in the project.
They claim that they did not live up to the promises, but were forced to work in hazardous industries.As noted, there are reasonable suspicions that the products, the production of which involves Africans, are used by the Russian Federation in the war against Ukraine.
Thus, foreign specialists are also exposed to danger from attacks by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, for which the military plants of the aggressor country are a legitimate target.
Probably, the recruitment in Africa is carried out in connection with the increased needs of the Russian labor market, associated with the socalled SVO.According to Western media reports, Interpol in Botswana has launched an investigation into the Alabuga Start recruitment program, which promises young African women jobs and training.
But in reality, it is linked to human trafficking and the production of military drones.
The program operates in Russias special economic zone Alabuga in Tatarstan.
Interpols investigation was launched after the offices staff noticed suspicious recruitment posts on social media.
According to a 2024 report by the US Institute for Science and International Security, more than 90 of the women recruited could have been sent to assemble Shahed drones.
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