Ukraine War: Russia’s Drone Recruitment Programme for Nigerians Triggers Outrage

 

Alabuga Drone Factory. Yellow markings indicate areas where expansion has occurred. Photo: Planet Labs/AP

Firstsitenews-The Nigerian Federal Government has distanced itself from a controversial Russian work-study programme that allegedly recruits Nigerian youths to work on military drone production used in the ongoing war against Ukraine.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs firmly denied any involvement in the programme, which is linked to the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia.

Despite the denial, a document circulating online — reportedly published on the Russian Ministry of Education’s website  appeared to promote the scheme to Nigerian youths, encouraging them to apply for scholarships under what is now being seen as a covert military initiative.

The Alabuga zone, a vast industrial complex targeted by a Ukrainian missile strike on April 23, 2025, is at the center of the storm. The facility is known for producing Iranian-designed suicide drones that have been heavily deployed by Russian forces.

One of the programmes operating within the zone, dubbed “Alabuga Start,” is under intense scrutiny. Initially presented as a vocational training opportunity for international students, it has now drawn global condemnation following reports that young African women  including minors  were lured under false pretenses.

According to investigations, these individuals believed they were signing up for academic and technical training but were instead put to work assembling drones in unsafe and exploitative conditions.

A recent exposé by The Economist revealed that many of the recruits were unaware that their work was contributing to Russia’s military operations. This corroborates a 2024 Associated Press report that uncovered how social media platforms  including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok  had to remove multiple accounts promoting the Alabuga Start initiative.

These accounts, affiliated with Alabuga Polytechnic a school that presents itself as a hub for advanced drone engineering education  had amassed over 53,000 followers before being taken down. The school's marketing tactics have since been condemned for misleading students and obscuring the true nature of the work involved.

The revelations have sparked outrage in Nigeria and across Africa, with calls for further investigation and accountability over the exploitation of unsuspecting youth in a foreign conflict.