Students at Alabuga Polytech, a Russian college where they assemble Shahed drones, said their pay fell far short of promises, with one former student receiving just 1 ruble for a month of work. Novaya Gazeta Europe spoke with former and current students and staff; TV Rain also reported on the situation.
The workday was split between classes and work. Students often worked until 4 a.m. because the “seniors” who were supposed to train them “just sat around and passed on their tasks,” one former student said. He said he slept two hours a day and left because he could not combine work with study.
Promised salaries did not match reality. Alabuga’s recruitment campaign promised second-year students 150,000 rubles and third-year students 350,000 rubles. First-year students, according to the university’s website, were guaranteed a minimum of 3,000 rubles. Former student Alexei said only 1,500 rubles remained after deductions for dormitory fees. For one month of work, he was paid 1 ruble.
Interviewees described encouraged competition among students: only 5% received a high bonus, while most got small pay. Bullying of classmates was widespread. One student, according to interviewees, hanged himself after being unable to withstand the bullying.
Former students and staff also noted the college director’s “abnormal attitude” toward students: he invited some to his home, sometimes overnight. One employee of the special economic zone compared the system to selecting “super combat power,” noting that only 1% of 100 students withstand it. He said refusing work was possible, but students were “pushed” toward it.
Since 2023, the Alabuga special economic zone has assembled drones based on Iranian Shaheds. The zone and its college are under Western sanctions.