Google, Meta, and TikTok have withdrawn social media posts from a drone manufacturing facility located in the Tatarstan region of Russia, which aimed to recruit young women from foreign countries to assist in the production of drones for use in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Following an investigation detailed in a report released on October 10, various accounts on platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok were taken down. This investigation highlighted the working conditions within the drone factory situated in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, a location that is currently under sanctions imposed by the U.S. and the U.K.
The social media posts had initially promised these young women, primarily from African nations, a complimentary plane ticket to Russia along with a monthly salary exceeding $500 through a recruitment initiative dubbed “Alabuga Start.” However, upon their arrival in Tatarstan, many discovered that instead of engaging in work-study programs focusing on fields like hospitality, they were actually assigned to a factory responsible for assembling Iranian-designed attack drones intended for deployment in Ukraine.
Interviews conducted with some of these women revealed grievances regarding extensive hours of labor under strict surveillance, widespread issues concerning unfulfilled promises related to pay and educational opportunities, as well as exposure to hazardous chemicals that resulted in skin irritation and damage. The women’s identities were not disclosed to protect their safety.
The tech companies involved also removed accounts affiliated with Alabuga Polytechnic, a vocational institution attended by Russian students aged 16-18 and Central Asian students aged 18-22, promoting their graduates as specialists in drone production.
Collectively, these accounts boasted over 53,000 followers. YouTube stated that Google remains committed to adhering to sanctions and trade compliance and has terminated all channels linked to the Alabuga Special Economic Zone after thorough review per their policies. Meta announced the removal of accounts from Facebook and Instagram that contravened their guidelines, affirming their dedication to following sanctions laws and addressing the critical issue of human trafficking, which requires varied strategies.
While TikTok did not respond promptly to inquiries, it appeared to have eliminated accounts associated with Alabuga, which had approximately 35,000 followers. Recruitment efforts targeted at women aged 18 to 22 were intended to mitigate labor shortages during wartime in Russia, attracting individuals from countries such as Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka. Plans to broaden this recruitment drive are reportedly extending to other regions in Asia and Latin America.
Despite the removal of accounts from major social media platforms, numerous affiliated accounts on Telegram, which had not provided a comment, remain operational. Furthermore, the management of the drone manufacturing plant did not respond to requests for comment.
The Alabuga Start initiative employed an extensive social media marketing strategy featuring professionally edited videos combined with lively music. These clips depicted African women happily engaging in various activities, such as cleaning floors, operating cranes while wearing hard hats, and using protective gear for painting or applying chemicals. While showcasing cultural sites in Tatarstan and participating in sports, these videos failed to disclose that the women would be employed in a drone manufacturing environment.
Alabuga promoted visits from foreign dignitaries, including individuals from Brazil, Sri Lanka, and Burkina Faso. A Turkish diplomat, in an Instagram post that has since been deleted, likened Alabuga Polytechnic to higher educational institutions in Turkey, claiming it was “more developed and high-tech.” Reports from Russian investigative outlets such as Protokol and Razvorot highlighted that some pupils at Alabuga Polytechnic are as young as 15 and have expressed concerns regarding unfavorable working circumstances.
Prior video content showcased vocational students partaking in team-building activities, including “military-patriotic” paintball games and reenacting historic Soviet battles while clad in camouflage. Last month, Alabuga Start claimed its visibility has surged significantly, potentially linked to its collaboration with social media influencers who promoted the facility on TikTok and Instagram as an effortless means for young women to earn money after completing school.
Following the release of the investigation, TikTok removed two promotional videos associated with Alabuga. Experts indicated that approximately 90% of women enlisted through the Alabuga Start program are engaged in drone manufacturing.