Shock As Kenyan Women Among Recruits Building Drones for Russia’s War in Ukraine

Nairobi Oct 12 – In search of better opportunities abroad, many young Kenyan women are among over 200 recruits from East and West African countries enlisted to assemble weapons in wartime Russia. As the Kremlin grapples with a labor shortage caused by the ongoing conflict, these women are drawn in by promises of employment, only to find themselves working in Tatarstan’s Alabuga Special Economic Zone, located about 1,000 kilometers east of Moscow under harsh and risky conditions.

Enticed by social media ads promising free plane tickets, cash, and accommodation, along with the thrill of a European adventure, many young women unknowingly find themselves entangled in supporting Russia’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict. With minimal entry requirements—such as only completing a computer game or passing a brief Russian vocabulary test—their dream opportunity swiftly turns into a grim experience.

Once in Russia, many find themselves trapped, isolated from the outside world, and working under contracts for Russian enterprises, specifically manufacturing Shahed 136 exploding drone warheads being used in Russia’s military war in Ukraine.

For some, including those already in Russia on government-sponsored scholarships, the allure of extra cash during study breaks has led them to Alabuga SEZ. What begins as an effort to supplement their scholarship funding rapidly becomes a harsh reality, with mostly young women forced to fill wartime labor shortages. They work under strict surveillance and with restricted freedom, in labor-intensive roles far removed from the exciting adventures they initially envisioned.

The recruitment efforts primarily target women young as aged 16 to 22 from countries like South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria, as well as Sri Lanka. The focus on vulnerable young women believed to be easier to control continues to raise serious concerns about exploitation and ethical issues surrounding the Kremlin’s involvement in taking advantage of these populations amid the ongoing conflict.

This startling development, uncovered by an Associated Press investigation, highlights the extreme measures Moscow is undertaking to mitigate labor shortages within its wartime industries

The Russian government is actively seeking this demographic to meet its wartime production demands, especially in roles that require minimal technical skill, such as assembling drone parts, including airframes. According to an Associated Press report, Alabuga is the only Russian facility employing women from Africa, Asia, and South America for weapon production. Approximately 90% of the women recruited through the Alabuga Start program are engaged in assembling drone components.

Alabuga SEZ has become a critical cog in Russia’s military-industrial complex, aiming to produce 6,000 drones annually by 2025, as revealed by leaked Joint Stock Company (JSC) Alabuga documents and the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS). According to the AP reports, at least 182 women were recruited in the first half of this year, primarily from Central and East African nations. While the program promotes opportunities for women, it has faced criticism for allegedly targeting vulnerable groups, including orphanages in Uganda.

Betty Amongi, Uganda’s Minister for Gender, Labour, and Social Development, expressed concerns regarding the recruitment of women for the Alabuga factory in Russia, particularly highlighting their vulnerability due to age, the AP report quoted. The minister said “female migrant workers are the most vulnerable category” and that her ministry sought to ensure these women “do not end up in exploitative employment.”

Despite Alabuga’s Facebook page claiming that 46 Ugandan women were present at the complex, Amongi clarified that, according to her ministry’s information, there were actually none. South Sudan, Kenya, and Rwanda each have 14 recruits participating in the program, while Tanzania and Ethiopia contribute 4 and 6 recruits, respectively. West Africa’s Nigeria also features prominently with 14 participants, and Sri Lanka in Asia has enrolled 10. East Africa claims the highest number of recruits, totaling over 100 “new participants” in the initiative.

Alabuga, established in 2006 to attract businesses and investments to Tatarstan, has emerged as a central hub for employing foreign workers. This focus on military production is part of a broader Russian strategy to militarize education, with Russian authorities allegedly preparing students to manufacture and operate drones. This development has according to analysts raise concerns about the potential implications for future warfare, especially as more young, vulnerable women from countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda find themselves recruited under harsh conditions.

An April report by El País stated that Russian students would soon begin training in drone manufacturing and operations. These drones, currently deployed against Ukraine, signify the increasing integration of military technology into Russia’s educational system. The Russian Ministry of Education plans to purchase over 17,000 drones, further solidifying the Kremlin’s efforts to militarize education in response to the ongoing conflict.

Recent leaks from JSC Alabuga reveal contracts aimed at producing thousands of exploding warheads, which emphasizes the factory’s key role in Russia’s war efforts. Initially intending to manufacture warheads independently, Alabuga has now sought assistance from Iran for the necessary components, highlighting the international collaboration involved in this militarization drive.

Workers at the Alabuga factory face serious risks, often lacking protective gear and being exposed to harmful chemicals. According to Associated Press, one worker likened the discomfort to “being pricked with tiny needles,” resulting in small, itchy holes on her cheeks. The worker expressed her frustration: “I could never get tired of scratching myself,” illustrating the severe working conditions these women endure. Independent media outlets like Protokol and Razvorot have reported complaints about poor working environments.

Many young African women, including those from Kenya, are lured by promises of opportunities in technology, only to find themselves trapped in labor-intensive roles in weapons production. One Kenyan woman, as reported by the AP, documented her journey to Russia, only to realize it was a “trap.” She reflected with regret, saying, “The company is all about making drones. Nothing else.”

The AP report further said the Alabuga Start recruitment campaign features social media ads with polished videos set to upbeat music, showcasing African women visiting cultural sites and participating in sports in Russia. The clips portray recruits happily cleaning floors, directing cranes, and applying chemicals in protective gear.

One video highlights team-building exercises among Polytechnic students, where the losing side is humorously labeled “fascists.” “We are taught patriotism. This unites us. We are ready to repel any provocation,” a student remarks in the video. While these videos promote camaraderie, they omit the facility’s role in Russian drone production. The Special Economic Zone is more transparent with local media, according to the AP report.

Alabuga Start’s social media is flooded with comments from Africans seeking job opportunities and expressing frustration about not receiving responses to their applications. The program has been promoted by education ministries in Uganda and Ethiopia and portrayed in African media as a chance to earn money and gain new skills.

However, the reality for many of these recruits is starkly different. Inexperienced and often as young as 16, many of these workers endure harsh conditions, raising concerns about the quality of the drones they assemble. Unskilled labor has led to questions about potential manufacturing issues and whether these are causing drone malfunctions.

Foreign workers commute by bus from their dormitories to the factory, passing through several security checkpoints. Vehicles undergo more thorough inspections following a license plate scan, according to a woman who assembles drones. The workers share dorms and kitchens, which are monitored 24/7 with entry controlled through facial recognition, the AP reported.

They are constantly watched via surveillance cameras, and pets, alcohol, and drugs are strictly prohibited. Upon arrival, the workers receive local SIM cards, but they are not allowed to bring their phones into the factory, as it is a sensitive military site.

Meanwhile, Russian and Central Asian students enrolled at Alabuga Polytechnic reportedly have the option to visit their homes, according to social media posts. However, independent Russian media outlets have reported that those vocational students who wish to leave the program may face financial penalties, as they are required to repay their tuition costs.

Russia’s relationship with Africa has evolved significantly, moving beyond traditional economic interests like agriculture, chemicals, and minerals to include deeper involvement in education. Many African students, including Kenyans, now pursue studies in fields such as applied geology, computer technology, and oil and gas engineering in Russia, this signals the expansion of Russia’s influence in the region.

Kenyan Advocate Lilian Olivia Orero, in her article for The Elephant, cautioned that while these academic partnerships may seem beneficial, they carry potential long-term consequences. Orero warned that Russia’s growing influence could shape the ideologies of Kenya’s future leaders, with the potential to alter the country’s foreign policy and affect its sovereignty. She stressed the importance of Kenya carefully considering these collaborations, as they could reshape the broader geopolitical landscape in Africa.

In September 2023, Russia further solidified its educational outreach with the launch of the Russian Centre for Open Education, attracting around 300 Kenyan citizens to study the Russian language. That same month, Russia extended scholarships to sixty Kenyan students, inviting them to begin their studies in November.

Russian Ambassador to Kenya Dmitry Maksimychev, during a pre-departure briefing, stated that the initiative was designed to strengthen public diplomacy and foster closer ties between Russia and Kenya. This effort is part of a larger strategy by Russia to enhance educational and cultural exchanges across Africa, deepening its influence on the continent.

As these educational initiatives unfold, the demand for labor in Russia’s factories, especially in the military sector, is reportedly growing. According to Associated Press reports, documents verified by drone expert David Albright indicate that the workforce at Russia’s Alabuga drone production facility is projected to grow from 900 in 2023 to over 2,600 by 2025.

The recruitment program is big on promise with recruits expected a monthly salary of $700, but subsequent social media posts revised this figure to “over $500.” A worker involved in airframe assembly stated that her salary was significantly reduced due to deductions for accommodation, airfare, medical care, and Russian-language classes, leaving her struggling to afford basic necessities like bus fare, the AP report said.

One worker lamented, “We are maltreated like donkeys, being slaved,” highlighting the challenges posed by banking sanctions on Russia, which complicate remittances to their families. In contrast, another factory employee reported being able to send up to $150 a month back home.

Four women described enduring long shifts of up to 12 hours, with inconsistent days off. Two of those who worked in the kitchen expressed a willingness to accept their low pay as it enabled them to support their families. However, plant documents indicate that these wages are adversely affecting morale, with managers noting that “candidates are refusing the low salary” and urging the replacement of foreign workers with Russian-speaking staff.

Ms. Orero argues in her article that while studying abroad offers significant academic and professional growth, Kenyan authorities must ensure that its youth are not exploited in foreign ventures with hidden political motives, as seen in the Alabuga drone factory case.

Most Kenyan students are pursuing studies in political science, engineering, and nuclear energy, which may extend beyond academic aspirations into geopolitical influence. Education has become a tool for Russia to strengthen its ties with Africa, placing Kenyan students at the center of this growing relationship, she notes.