South Africa investigates Russian recruitment of young women for drone factories after reports emerged that companies connected to Alabuga in Tatarstan are drawing in African job seekers with promises of education and high salaries.
Once in Russia, many are said to be directed into drone assembly lines that support the war in Ukraine, according to local media, researchers, and international investigations. Officials in Pretoria confirmed that they are reviewing the claims and may call Russian diplomats for clarification.
The Alabuga factory has become one of the most important suppliers of military drones for Russia, producing up to 200 Shahed-style drones per month. South African authorities say they are monitoring whether local youth are being lured into contracts under false pretenses. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation stated that no hard evidence has yet proven fraud, but the government has noted with concern the rising allegations linked to Alabuga recruitment.
Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Telegram have been used to advertise these job offers, often promoted by South African influencers. In January, the BRICS Student Commission marketed positions at Alabuga for women aged 18 to 22, presented as careers in hospitality or construction. By May, the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance signed an agreement promising more than 5,600 workers for Alabuga and a Russian construction firm.
Reality has often turned out far from the glossy pitches. The Institute for Science and International Security in Washington reported that over 90 percent of participants in the Alabuga Start program ended up on drone production lines rather than in education or professional training. Senior fellow Spencer Faragasso said the women are essentially becoming part of the war machine, exposed to hazardous materials and unsafe conditions.
First-hand accounts reinforce these warnings. The Associated Press interviewed six young African women in 2024 who described being deceived. They were promised airfare and jobs in catering or hospitality but instead spent long hours in poorly ventilated rooms working with toxic substances. They reported low pay, exhausting conditions, and no protective equipment. The Wall Street Journal later documented similar stories.
Interpol has opened a probe in Botswana into whether the program constitutes human trafficking. In Argentina, a case was filed accusing two former reality television contestants of assisting in recruitment. International pressure is mounting, especially as Russia continues to expand drone production. Alabuga is currently building housing for more than 41,000 people, a sign of long-term plans to scale up. Six different models of Shahed drones are already in production, initially based on designs imported from Iran.
Underlying these developments is a sharp contrast between the two countries. Russia faces a severe labor shortage due to population decline, mass mobilization of men, reduced migrant labor, and the departure of dissenters. South Africa, on the other hand, has unemployment hovering around one-third of the workforce, creating an opening for recruiters to entice desperate job seekers.
South Africa’s review of Russian recruitment efforts is still underway. The investigation could determine whether these programs amount to human trafficking or organized exploitation of African youth. For now, the warnings serve as a reminder of the risks when job offers abroad are wrapped in false promises that lead young people into dangerous and unexpected realities.
