A BBC investigation has uncovered how hundreds of young African women were recruited under false pretenses to work in Russia’s Alabuga Special Economic Zone, where they were assigned to assemble Iranian Shahed-136 drones used in the Ukraine conflict.

The women, including 23-year-old South Sudanese national Adau, were promised scholarships and jobs in logistics or crane operation but instead faced hazardous conditions, low pay, and exposure to chemical substances.

Adau arrived in March 2024 through the Alabuga Start program, which targets youth from Africa, Latin America, and Asia. She recounted being assigned to paint drone casings with chemicals that caused skin blistering, despite wearing protective gear. “I cried in my room – I can't believe this is what I'm doing,” she told the BBC. Participants were required to sign non-disclosure agreements, limiting their ability to speak out.

The program, which denies any deception, claims to assign roles based on operational needs. However, the investigation found that over 1,000 women were recruited amid labor shortages following EU sanctions. Promised salaries of $600 were reportedly reduced to around $100 after deductions for rent, classes, internet access, and penalties for minor infractions such as missed homework or cooking mishaps.

A Ukrainian drone strike on April 2, 2024, destroyed a nearby hostel, killing workers and intensifying fears among participants. Adau said passports were temporarily confiscated following the attack, and she left the program after giving two weeks’ notice. Many others remained, unable to afford return travel.

South African authorities launched a probe in August 2024 after social media influencers promoted the program, raising concerns about human trafficking. The government issued warnings to citizens, and INTERPOL has highlighted a broader trend of exploitation, noting a 20% rise in cyber-related threats across Africa.

While Alabuga maintains that its rules are transparent and exits are voluntary, testimonies from participants suggest otherwise. Adau, now safely back home, urged others to avoid the program: “Don’t go – it’s lies and danger.”