Young individuals from various African nations are converging on the Russian city of Alabuga SEZ in Tatarstan, seeking employment and education. The Alabuga SEZ has announced that students from Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya will soon embark on training for new professions and commence Russian language lessons.
The “Alabuga Start” program, an international initiative, offers young people the chance to enhance their standard of living and build a career. Otieno Macrene Achieng from Kenya, a participant in the program, expressed determination in the face of adversity, stating, “You won’t scare me, because Alabuga is a strong place and we will get through this,” in response to an attack on their hostel.
“I came to work and study at Alabuga Polytech in the field of Service and Hospitality. And I am going to work in Shokoladnitsa. I am fine now,” said Otieno Macrene Achieng, Alabuga Start program’s participant from Kenya. “Those who attacked our hostel today are real barbarians and they deserve serious condemnation. In my opinion they wanted to intimidate us. But I want to tell you they did not succeed. You won’t scare me, because Alabuga is a strong place and we will get through this.”
However, this influx of youth comes amidst escalating tensions, as Alabuga SEZ houses a facility for the licensed production of Iranian Shahed-series one-way attack drones, which are being used in the conflict against Ukraine. Russia has been accused of coercing this young students into building drones for use in Ukraine. If confirmed, this could likely make the facility as well as the students working in it as a legitimate target for Ukraine
Just yesterday, a drone strike by Ukraine targeted Alabuga SEZ, employing a novel drone converted from a light manned aircraft, marking potentially the longest-range aerial strike by Ukraine to date. With a propeller at the front, a braced high wing, conventional tail, and fixed undercarriage, the drone used in the Ukrainian attack appears to be a civilian light aircraft adapted as a one-way attack drone.
The strike resulted in injuries to nine individuals and impacted a dormitory within the Alabuga SEZ. Despite this, Tatarstan’s regional head, Rustam Minnikhanov, assured that there was no significant damage and that the enterprises’ operations continued uninterrupted.
RIA Novosti reported that citizens from nine countries, including Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Republic of Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Sudan, were among the injured. The attack has drawn attention to the hundreds of students reportedly assembling Shahed drones at the Alabuga Polytechnic.
The drone strike may well have been the longest-range aerial strike launched by Ukraine into Russia.
The drone utilized in the Ukrainian attack seems to be a modified civilian light aircraft, possibly a variant of the Ukrainian Aeroprakt A-22. which is produced as a factory-built aircraft and as a kit. With modifications, this aircraft could potentially achieve the range required for such an attack, depending on the payload.
While African nations have largely maintained neutrality in the Ukrainian conflict, this incident underscores the war’s far-reaching impact on Africans. Compelled by economic challenges and enticed by substantial remuneration and prospects of citizenship, many young Africans may find themselves drawn to such opportunities, despite the inherent risks.
This situation raises critical questions about the intersection of economic needs and geopolitical conflicts, as well as the ethical implications of such employment in war-torn regions.
So far, there has been no specific public diplomatic response from African governments regarding the Alabuga drone incident. African nations have largely maintained a stance of neutrality in the conflict. However, the involvement of young Africans in the drone assembly at Alabuga SEZ could prompt future statements or actions from their respective governments as the situation evolves.
This latest incident highlights another way the brutal war in Ukraine affects Africans. Driven by economic hardship and the promise of hefty payments and even citizenship, a lot of young Africans may likely opt for this new ‘opportunity.’
Already, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has seen the involvement of African mercenaries, with both sides recruiting fighters from the continent.