Russia's 'Alabuga Start' program, launched to meet the labor needs of its military industry, is now targeting young women from Latin America. According to a report by French newspaper Le Monde, the program attracts women to the country with promises of jobs and training in tourism and logistics.
However, the investigation reveals that the majority of these women are put to work in the assembly of Iranian-made Shahed drones, which Russia uses in its war against Ukraine, in the city of Alabuga in the Republic of Tatarstan. These drones are being developed domestically in Russia under the names 'Geran-2' and 'Geran-3'.
Western sanctions and labor shortage
According to Le Monde, the Alabuga special economic zone has become the main hub for drone production in Russia since 2022. The impact of Western sanctions and a shortage of local labor have pushed authorities and companies linked to the program to seek foreign workers.
Starting in 2024, large-scale promotional campaigns were launched on social media in Latin America. Using AI-generated content and collaborations with local influencers, the program is marketed as a migration and job opportunity.
Attractive promises and harsh realities
The program offers young women attractive promises such as a monthly salary exceeding $500, low-cost housing, covered travel expenses to Russia, social benefits, and job stability.
But testimonies from former female workers from Africa paint a different picture. The women reported abuses such as harsh working conditions, exhausting hours, exposure to hazardous chemicals, restrictions on freedom of movement, and the confiscation of their passports when they wanted to leave.
The program as a geopolitical tool
Le Monde's report states that Moscow views the 'Alabuga Start' program not only as a way to supply labor to its military factories, but also as part of a broader strategy to increase its influence in Latin America, where it competes against US influence.
Analysts believe that Russia's success in attracting labor from geographically distant countries reflects the influence capacity of its media and political networks, which also draw on historical ties dating back to the Cold War era.
The report also highlights that Russia's influence in the region is not limited to the industrial sphere, noting reports that Cubans have been sent to the Donbas front to participate in the war in Ukraine.
Propaganda and sustainability debates
According to experts, the propaganda conducted by Russia through Spanish-language media outlets such as Sputnik and Russia Today, as well as networks of local influencers, plays a role in improving Russia's image among certain segments of society in Latin America.
In contrast, some researchers question the long-term sustainability of this strategy. They argue that Russia is no longer a former superpower and that its increasing reliance on influence operations is an attempt to compensate for the decline in its traditional capacities.
According to Le Monde's analysis, the 'Alabuga Start' program combines economic, military, and propaganda objectives. It thus provides Moscow with cheap labor for drone production while also creating a tool to strengthen its political presence beyond its borders.
