Russia recruits young African women for work in near slave-like conditions

Russia has launched a large-scale campaign across the African continent to recruit young women for work in Tatarstan — specifically, to assemble combat drones used in its war against Ukraine.

The scheme was uncovered by European journalists, The Standard reports.

Women are promised job training and well-paid positions in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, located in southeastern Russia. But according to the investigation, the reality more closely resembles forced labor: low wages, strict surveillance, racism, and abuse.

At least ten recruiters from various African countries are helping facilitate the program.

Women between the ages of 18 and 22 are reportedly being offered monthly salaries of over $800. Thousands have allegedly been recruited from Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan, Nigeria, and other African nations, according to The Associated Press.

They are told they will receive valuable training, travel to Russia or Europe, and return home with better prospects. Flights are covered, and the promise of a bright future is part of the pitch.

However, a May 8 report by the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime warned that the Alabuga Start program shows signs of human trafficking and exploitative fraud.

Russia’s embassy in Nairobi denies the accusations. 

Kenya’s Labor Minister Alfred Mutua said the government currently has no official employment programs with Russia, but didn’t rule out the possibility in the future.