Russia accused of using BRICS network to recruit South African women for drone production

Amid growing labor shortages, Moscow allegedly exploits vulnerable women from developing nations for drone assembly in military factories.

According to intelligence reports, Russia is using BRICS institutional frameworks to recruit women from developing countries—particularly South Africa—to work in its drone manufacturing plants, Caliber.Az reports per Ukrainian media.

The campaign is centered around the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan, a major hub for Russian drone production. According to intelligence findings, women from economically disadvantaged nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America are being enticed with promises of high salaries, career advancement, and education. However, many of the recruits are allegedly misled about the nature of their work, which involves assembling Shahed-136 strike drones used in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

In South Africa, recruitment efforts were reportedly conducted under the banner of BRICS cooperation. The BRICS Women’s Business Alliance is said to have signed an agreement to help supply 5,600 workers to Alabuga. In January, job postings appeared under the BRICS Student Commission, while popular influencers on Instagram and TikTok helped circulate the vacancies—framing them as internships or professional development opportunities abroad.

The South African Ministry of Women’s Affairs has since issued a public warning urging young people to exercise caution, while government agencies have launched investigations into the role of Russian-linked companies operating locally.

The so-called "Start Program", under which most of the recruitment has occurred, drew women from 44 countries in 2024—including Mozambique, Mali, Colombia, and Sri Lanka. The program aims to expand its reach to 77 countries by the end of 2025.

Reports indicate that over 90% of participants are assigned directly to drone assembly lines at Alabuga, with minimal training and under tightly controlled conditions. The Ukrainian Security Service has cited cases in which African women were promised internships in the hotel and tourism industry but were instead forced to work in drone production under inhumane conditions for significantly lower pay.

By Vafa Guliyeva